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adalz · 3 years

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For the Summer Solstice collaboration hosted by @odmlevis! Thank you for letting me join! ☀️🎣

pairing - fisher! Zeke x nymph! reader / Zeke x Reader (she/her)

summary - On a hot summer afternoon, Zeke decides to go fishing and makes a forbidden encounter.

content warnings - fluff, kind of modern! au, kind of mythology! au, suggestive, very brief mention of reader characteristics (round-faced; skin kissed by the sun)

word count - 4.5k

a/n - first part is Zeke’s pov / second part is yours ~ this piece is brought to you by the entire Poses album by Rufus Wainwright, and more particularly by the Greek Song / funky enough this (this ↓ ) somewhat talks about Greek mythology, oh isn’t it fitting?

The Mortal

“Don’t you forget something?” said a voice behind Zeke, stopping him in the middle of the wide steps of the country house.

He turned around from the bottom of the steps. Dina, in the shadow of her house's large front door, was looking at her son. She tilted her head to the side, slightly tapping her cheek with a slender finger.

He ran up the stairs, smiling, and said softly to her, “I'll be home before sundown, mother.”

“That doesn't stop you from kissing your mother goodbye.”

He took off his hat as he crossed the threshold, immediately embraced by the darkness and coolness wafting through the house. But here was the thing: it had been almost a week since Zeke alighted at the small-town station of his childhood home, back on his mother's estate, and a week locked inside the house to hide from the sun was a week too long. The academic had caught the first train to get away from the capital and enjoy the little respite he was given in the summer, and he refused to stay stuck in the house for another afternoon.

He placed a soft kiss on Dina's cheek, and she stroked his cheek affectionately, the fabric of her summer dress tickling down his neck. Her pale skin betrayed her confinement, stating the refusal to expose herself to the burning rays of the summer sun. Instead, she chose to hide behind the heavy curtains of the huge windows to protect herself from the oppressive heat of harsh days. She, who had grown up in the south of the Island where the heat waves were common in the summer, had difficulty tolerating the great warmth. Zeke, on the other hand, loved nothing more than to be rocked by the fiery breaths of the earth.

“Mr. Ksaver probably prepared the boat and set up your fishing gear like you asked him to this morning,” she said, smoothing out the collar of her son's shirt, “he should be waiting for you on the dock.”

“I’ll see you tonight, Mother.”

Zeke tore himself away from his mother's embrace, throwing himself back into the scorching air of the early afternoon summer. He walked down the steps again, already taking the direction of the park behind the house.

“Don’t forget to wear your hat, buttercup!” he heard Dina say behind him. He turned around one last time, giving a look to his mother's silhouette and waved his hand.

The short walk through the park to the back of the property was already making him sweat under his shirt. The green grass of a bygone spring had given way to a yellowed carpet and only the flowers in the bushes offered some life to the garden. The sun was blazing, beating down on his temples, and he hurried toward the grove. There, he took the small, shady dirt track that would lead him down to the valley river, to its cool, clear water, and to the old boathouse with its wooden dock.

The temperature there was already more pleasant, sheltered by the small wood edging the river's banks, the sunrays thinned by the leaves of the trees. He walked down the path, and before he could discern the aged wood slats of the boathouse, he heard the flow of the water, the lapping licking up the banks. Hidden by the ceaseless song of the cicadas, he thought he heard a laugh.

He raised his head toward the sound but saw no one. Perhaps it was coming from downstream, a shout from a hunter or some villagers who came to seek the coolness of the river.

“There you are!” greeted Tom when he noticed Zeke coming his way. The man rose from the edge of the dock where he was seated and came to tap him on the shoulder.

“What a heat today, son!”

Tom helped him settle into the small wooden boat, briefly taking inventory of the fishing gear.

“Ah, indeed!” Zeke said with a smile. “But I’d much rather suffer the summer heat than be cooped up one more day in this house. I need some fresh air.”

“You're quite right. Enjoy it while you can!”

“And I'm convinced it will do you the world of good! You will be back with a clear head to work on your thesis!”

Zeke crinkled up his nose at the comment.

“Absolutely,” he replied, pushing the boat off the dock with a kick.

“Oh, and Zeke,” Tom called out to him, “be careful out there!”

“Careful?” Zeke laughed, grabbing the oar, and already moving away from the dock. “You're hurting my feelings, Tom! I know I’m certainly not the best swimmer on this Island, but still, I'm not going to drown!”

“I don't doubt it," the older man said, louder, for him to hear his words, “but I heard some odd rumors in town a few days ago. About accidents.”

“Accidents? Here, at the river? I don't understand-...”

“The Bott's son disappeared,” he shouted, “nobody knows what happened to him. The poor boy went hunting and never came back! All sorts of stories are going around, you can imagine! Not that I would give in to any of the wild rumors but be sure to keep an eye out!”

“Understood!” Zeke shouted back, waving at his friend, whose figure was already disappearing into the distance.

Letting the force of the water pull on his arms as he sank his oar into the water, Zeke remained a moment lost in his thoughts. He imagined what kind of rumors were going around about this place.

The river’s current was weak, letting the boat sail gently on the flow. The air here was breathable. Humid. Silent. Devoid of the plaintive ticking of clocks. Of the clattering of his mother’s China dishes. Of her obsessive questions about his thesis and his studies. About female suitors and marriage. He needed to get away from it, just to clear his mind. To let himself be overwhelmed by limpid, shallow thoughts.

Zeke set up his tackle, fixing the bait to the hook at the end of the fishing rod. His hands recalled the exercise without difficulty, faint memories guiding him through each step, in a calm, almost instinctive rhythm. It was Tom who taught him how to fish, when he was still a boy, taking him out on the river and showing him every knot, every technique he had himself learned from his father. It wasn't something Grisha had ever been interested in anyway.

He always found something exciting about fishing, the building of a curious anticipation. It was not the result that mattered to him, but the surprise of the achievement. The excitement of the line suddenly stretching. He cast his line out, fixed it to the boat's support so his hands were free.

The heady freshness of the water flowing beneath the hull made him drowsy. Tiredness was weighing down his limbs and the weather from the last few days was stifling. Taking advantage of this respite, he settled down comfortably, arms behind his head, taking off his hat. Slowly, he surrendered to somnolence, flames of the sun licking his face behind his closed eyelids, the warm breeze caressing his face.

He probably fell asleep, he realized only as he came back to his senses. Something had pulled him from his torpor - it was a voice, sweet bursts of laughter, like the one he heard before, back on the shady bank. As he opened heavy lidded eyes, Zeke straightened up a bit. He was getting closer to a song, a sweet and saccharine melody. At first, he thought of a villager, but the unique voice had a feminine tone, and he knew that few women ventured so far away from town, or at least, never alone.

The voice was getting closer, or perhaps it was he who was getting closer. He couldn’t assert with conviction as he suddenly felt lost, senses drowned by this melody that transported him into another realm.

And then, at the riverbend, he felt an arrow run through his heart. Here, the current was slower as the river widened, marking the riverbank of coves of still water. Like wildflowers growing in a windy garden, a field of water lilies spotted the water mirror with their pale flowers, rooting in the shallow water.

He stood still; his breath stuck in his throat. Some distance in front of him, among light and flowers, a woman was bathing. Naked as the first woman, her skin kissed by the sun and strands of hair sticking to her round face, she was playing with the lapping of the water, in a vibrant innocence, oblivious to the eyes intently running over her.

Was his mind playing tricks on him? Was he having a heatstroke? He thought of an apparition, an ethereal being taking human form to punish him. But there was no punishment. How could it be? Never a punishment had been so sweet. She was magnificently, so glorious, of a rare, mystical beauty, her skin shining like precious stones under the reflections of the sun.

Of all the women he was ever given to see, of all the suitresses he had been presented to, he had never, ever, seen such a beautiful creature. She was half immersed in the cool water, droplets sliding down on her body, caressing the shape of her breasts. Tied in her hair, a myriad of flowers fell like a waterfall down her backbone, skimming over the arch of her lower back. She was singing a song to herself, speaking in a whisper to herself, laughing with a cheerful tone to herself. And her face was turned toward the sky, lonely eyes looking beyond the treetops. She was splendid, inhabited by an incredible solitude.

He understood suddenly, shaken by a sweet revelation, that it was no mere woman. But the one that he had sought for his whole life. The one he had waited for in his loneliness. The one he dreamed of at night, when lives were fading away and he let himself die in the torpor of the night. It was you.

The Naiad

Perhaps it was the sound of the small boat hitting the ripples that pulled you out of your recital, or perhaps it was that sensation of having been seen, of being watched. You turned abruptly, responding to your instinct, and, in the horror of the realization, you saw a man. He was alone, his eyes, the colors of the sky, open wide on you. Alone on his wooden boat, he was equipped like the villagers, those who caught the fish offered by the river.

For a second, you thought one of them came to visit you. His disheveled garment was tight around the shape of his shoulder, and his golden hair reminded you of the stories your sisters used to whisper about. But he was sweating - his hair was stuck to his nape from the heat. On the surface of the water, his pleasant image was reflecting with panic. He was no Olympian.

The realization that a mortal was seeing you as you were seeing him abruptly struck you. And if the doubt about his nature had deprived you of a few seconds to react, conscientious not to anger a god, you suddenly stepped back.

He seemed to be panic-stricken at your sudden movement, and as if distraught, he stood up on his boat, seeing you trying to run away.

“Wait, don't go!” he shouted, holding out an arm toward you.

His voice echoed an instant between the trees, ricocheting off the water to you. The sudden movement broke the balance of the small boat on the clear water, tilting dangerously, dragging his weight backwards. He tried to catch himself, grabbing the wooden edge of the boat, but it didn't have the anticipated effect; the boat flipped over, sending him overboard. The last thing you saw, before his body slammed into the cold river water, was the panic in his eyes.

Like a mother protecting her child, the river swallowed him whole. You knew the punishment for looking at one of her beloved daughters all too well, although you never experienced it. It was the first time you saw a man - you rarely ventured far from your sisters’ presence. But this time, it was they who had failed you, leaving you all alone as they swam to the river source, up in the mountains, catching the freshness of the flows with their hands.

Perhaps he would manage to swim with the current, all the way downstream, toward the sea. Perhaps the river, full of grace and goodness, would let him reach the bank. Perhaps he would find help.

But you did not see him surface. The swirls of the waves calmed down, making his presence disappear under water. Seconds passed, carrying his little boat and his belongings along the waves. Small bubbles came to agitate the water mirror for a moment, then, a last breath reached you.

For a strange reason, you felt your heart clench as you imagined his panicked eyes losing consciousness in your mother's arms. Perhaps you lacked pugnacity against your own heart. You could only remember the story of the mortal who could not be saved, the one your sisters kept on talking about. But in your head, a sweet injustice resounded; he had seen no goddess bathing. It was only you. Perhaps you could do something.

You dove into the water. The river welcomed you, sliding you along the calm flow, and you only had to make a few movements before reaching the man's form. At first, you didn't dare get too close, for fear of being fooled, but his lack of liveliness was alarming.

He was immobile, as if repressed by the swells, drawn into the depths of the river. His body was beginning a gentle descent that would soon lead him to the underworld. You approached him then. From his body was emanating a gentle warmth, clashing with the temperature of the river. Hidden by his golden locks, you made out his face, and curious to see his eyes again, you brought your fingers to his cheek, clearing his forehead. His eyes were closed, his mouth slightly parted letting escape the tiniest bubbles of oxygen. Already, his skin was not as flushed as you remembered it, glistening under the sun. Perhaps he was already dying. The river whistled in your ears; your fault.

Wrapping your arms around his chest, you pulled his body toward the surface. He was warmer, heavier than the other nymphs you used to play with. As you swam up, the water grew tepid, warmed by the sun. Yet his body was giving out a strange protest, growing heavier with each flutter of your feet. You kept kicking your legs, unable to use your arms, hoping to reach the bank before it was too late.

You finally tiptoed over the pebbles of the riverbed, moving as fast as possible. As soon as you could, you pulled his head out of the water, drawing his body into the shallow cove, his skin resting against yours. Exhausted, you fell over on the edge of the waves, the fatigue leaving you half emerged, unable to make another move.

You gently laid his head on your lap and carefully cleared his face with an insecure hand, tucking a golden strand of his hair behind his ear. He was awfully pale, his skin a shade like the winter sky. You never wished more to know how mortals worked; you had no idea what to do to make him open his opal eyes again.

It didn't take away from his beauty. His face was graceful, strikingly beautiful. With your fingertips, you drew along his high nose, skimming down his cupid's bow, along his full, plump lips. You wondered if all men were like him. Maybe it was why your sisters would not let you go near them. For they were all as beautiful as the gods.

You thought back to your confusion about who he was, and decided that your sisters could only admit your misunderstanding if they were to see him. The mistake seemed plausible. But strangely, you frowned at the idea of showing them the mortal.

Entranced by his features, you barely noticed the trembling of his chest, the catch in his throat. He suddenly started coughing, straightening up abruptly. You didn't make a move as you saw him give back to the river the water in his lungs.

Finally, you decided to lean toward him, captivated by the path his spine formed between his shoulder blades, there, under his soaked shirt, and ran your hand down his back, patting lightly. You had no idea what you were doing. You felt him stiffen at the touch of your hand - he was out of breath, moaning slightly as he ran a hand across his throat.

Suddenly coming back to his senses, he sat up, thrusting his hands into the water to regain his balance. In silence, you gazed at his profile, at the sharpness of his jaw and at his nose starting too high between his eyes and as he looked over the forest, his eyes widened. You leaned slightly toward his face to catch a glimpse of the mesmerizing blue of his pupils, and ever so cautiously, his gaze met yours.

As the words tumbled around in your head, you saw his glance move slowly down your neck, further down, to your lower abdomen. He suddenly raised his head, letting a few droplets fall from his hair. You let out a laugh at his sudden lively behavior.

He was wearing the same expression he had on the boat. Stunned. Washed over. His body, close to yours, although it had been torn from your skin, was filled with a strange warmth. He who earlier had made the water vibrate with a sudden cry, finally spoke, in a whisper that not even the river could hear.

‘Who are you?’

His lips remained somewhat parted, the question slipping off his tongue, running like a drip over his mouth. You smiled at his gentle query; only mortals were to ask with whom they were talking.

“You were lucky,” you said pragmatically. You gently touched a water lily floating by with your fingertips, “It was only me.”

When you looked up, he was staring at you with his brow furrowed. Slightly, he moved his face closer to yours.

“Only you...,” he repeated, blissfully.

It seemed like he was trying to understand something by looking intently at your face. “Could it be that you are...,” he paused, his hands still underwater and eyes transfixed on you, “a goddess?”

Your eyes widened, shocking words echoing in your chest like sweet flattery, and you burst out laughing.

“A goddess!” you exclaimed. He was standing still, staring at you with an eyebrow raised at the giggly sound of your voice. Finally breaking through his confusion, he followed your lead, grinning at the sight of you, at your gentle mockery.

“Cease your flattery, mortal,” you eventually answered with a smile in your voice. “Fortunately for you, I’m hardly a goddess.” You paused, remembering the whispers about the hunter boy's story told by your sisters, “Stumbling across a goddess as she bathes… You might have been changed into a stag in turn!”

“I'm not sure I understand...” he told you in confidence. His innocence seemed pure, and you felt your heart pounding in your chest as his eyes lingered on you. You never would have thought a man could have so much power within his eyes. With his ridiculous questions and with his soft looks, he only made himself admirably lovely.

Caught up in a languorous impulse, letting yourself be charmed by his sweet words, you brought your hand to hover over his cheek. With your fingertips, you touched one of his curls and placed it behind his ear.

For a moment, he stayed still, letting you graze over his skin, then he stretched his arm in turn. But the sudden movement startled you - you withdrew your hand abruptly, bringing your arm to your chest. He suspended his gesture, and his eyes were intoxicating.

He smiled at you, the sun playing with his hair, its rays streaming down his shoulders, into the open gaps of his shirt. He had brought beauty into existence, the sun so high above his shoulders, making him shine so bright that you felt your own skin warm up, even before the touch of his fingers. You felt feverish with the sight of him, setting every inch of your body ablaze.

Slowly taking his outstretched arm, you gently placed his palm on your forehead, hoping he would feel the fever burning inside of you, and he slid his fingers down your cheek. Oddly, your gesture made him sigh, his eyes sometimes breaking away from yours, captivated by your lips.

“Tell me the truth,” he pleaded, “am I dead? Is this Paradise?”

“I'm afraid you are mistaken,” you said, running your fingers over his as they rested against your cheek. “We are both very much alive.”

“You're the most magnificent woman I was ever given to lay my eyes on,” he whispered, bodies coming dangerously close to each other. But everything, everything was peculiarly exhilarating, from the soft warmth of the sun radiating from his skin, to the faint scent of the water in his hair.

“I’m afraid you're mistaken again,” you simply repeated, certain that your laugh had caressed his lips.

You were no woman, but a deity, flesh and bones fed from the earth, daughter of Nature herself, adored and cherished by the gods and hidden away from the mortals’ greed. But the words died on your lips.

He was offering himself to you as he would have offered himself to a goddess, the winter river color of his eyes staring hungrily into yours, as no one ever did before him. So, hidden by the forest, by the flowered cove of water lilies, you brought your lips to his.

His fingers slightly tightened against your face, melting under your touch. He closed his eyes, as if he were tasting the moment with his lips. You felt a summer storm rising in your stomach as his hand slid over the skin of your waist, gripping at your skin and drawing you closer to him.

His hand dipped under the water to cup your flesh and you let out a little moan as he gently tugged your thighs and pulled you into his lap, locking them on his hips. In response, you let your fingers trace his arms, sliding to his collarbone before moving down to his chest, his stomach, hovering over his groin.

With both hands resting against his soaked shirt, you felt his muscles tighten under your touch. You tore yourself away from his lips, lowering your head between the small space between the two of you. He tried to catch your mouth again, adorably greedy, leaning his face toward yours, but you denied him.

With great caution, your fingers slipped between the buttonholes of his shirt, brushing at the tender skin underneath, his muscles contracted at your touch. Drowned in this recklessness, you slid one of the small buttons under your fingers, opening the shirt to sink your whole hand in.

The scene was delightful, as he came undone under your every move, drunk on you. Before you could carry out your plan to deprive him of his garment, he grabbed your chin between two fingers, refocusing your attention on him, on the ablaze desire in his eyes.

He filled the distance between you, his nose brushing against your skin as he peppered your face with kisses. Adventurous lips slipped down your neck, leaving honeyed kisses on your throat, sweet inspirations dancing on your skin. It was tickling, short breaths and giggles leaving your mouth and you felt him smile through the jolts of his chin against you.

Overwhelmed by the soft sensation of his hands gently cupping your breasts, fingers playing with the perky buds, your giggles turned into groans, desire taking over in an allegro of words broken by shuddering breaths. Your arms came behind his neck, hands playing with the hair on his nape, and you hungrily claimed back his lips.

He grunted against your mouth, and kissed you harder, his tongue pushing between your lips. He took a breath against your nose, as if it were the first one he had ever taken. Oxygen flooded in turn in your mind. You were awake.

Among sweet touches and primal desire, the thought of it all abruptly struck you; you knew it was forbidden, forbidden looks and caresses, and you could only imagine the consequences - for him, to have laid hands on one of you. But there was something delirious about the taste of his mouth, the jolt of his chin and his hands that kept on caressing the most sensitive spots of your skin, taking everything, everything they could. You were losing your mind - if only... If only you could...

Suddenly submerged by panic, you pushed him away. Somewhere along the riverbanks, someone was calling an unknown name, making the birds fly up into the sky. An unfamiliar name that made him frown. A name that fitted him so well. His name.

But there was no time for that, no time to whisper the name against his lips. You had to flee as fast as possible, you had to dive into the river and disappear. You tore yourself away from him, getting up but a hand grabbed your arm.

He was behind you, his body already sinking into the river. In his opal eyes, you saw panic and an unfounded fear.

“I cannot stay,” you said nervously, your face turned toward the voice in the forest. It was getting closer.

“At least tell me your name, tell me when I’ll see you again...”, he pleaded, for the second time that day.

“I cannot-...”

“Please!” he said, grabbing both your hands.

His eyes were clouded with an absurd veil, altering their intoxicating color. Tenderly, you brought your hand to the back of his neck and drew him against you, resting his head on your shoulder.

“Come back tomorrow,” you softly said in his ear.

“I have no idea where we are. I have no idea where my boat is. And I can't see anything; I lost my glasses in the river,” he mumbled in the crook of your neck. His arms were crossed in the middle of your back, holding you so close, so safe as if you were going to shutter. Or run away.

Your hand went back and forth on his neck, twisting in little strands of his hair. You breathed, gently against his cheek: “Travel upstream from the water mill. Look for the confluence of the valley river and the thin creek that comes down from the mountains. Go upstream until you find the coves eating up the bank. Wait for me where the flowers bloom. I'll go look for your glasses at the bottom of the river.” To seal your words, you took his hand and laid it against your heart.

“Come back tomorrow,” you repeated. He raised his head, hair brushing against your cheek and his eyes dived into yours one last time. With a last brush of your lips against his, you finally said, “and I'll tell you everything you want to know, Zeke.”

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sweetpickolwarrior · 3 years

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The Three Times You Didn’t Want Them To Hear You, The One Time You Did (Part 3)

Established fic

Small!Brown!Female!Reader

Not too apparent but just letting you know in case.

Fic summary: You have been travelling with geralt and Jaskier for quite some time, you had always been told that your voice would take you places before you had no choice but to abandon your previous life. You still loved it though. This fic explores the times you let go and let yourself sing. We also explore your backstory and the developing relationship with your older and protective companions :)

PART 1 HERE PART 2 HERE

Chapter summary: Bit of a filler chapter, the wait was more so to plan out the rest of the story clearly. Y/N wants to repay geralt for his kindness and show Jaskier that she does not hate him, but has trouble with words and such. Further apologies for the wait... enjoy!

The fact that you had not been sober enough to truly appreciate the room that Geralt had decided to treat you with left you with a pang of guilt, but a wavering reluctance to bring up anything about that night lest he unnecessarily recall the sound of your voice. You don’t suppose he cared much, as far as you could pick out from that night, it wasn't something that mattered very much to him… but then why the room? The situation slightly baffled you. You much preferred going from contract to contract, tavern to tavern, losing yourself in the endeavours of your companions. You roamed the streets of this new, unusually pleasant town, the bustle of the morning bubbling through. Your mind turned to the small sack you had swaddled at the very bottom of your pack buried beneath your myriad of gatherings from your travels. A small, worn leather sack with a drawstring through the top, wrapped in an old sock that had outlived its original duty a few winters ago sat almost full, the weight of the coin inside at most an apple or two. You had kept it for emergencies, a few loaves of bread and some meat if rations had become sparse, a promise payment for a healer or mage, should one or more of you fall incapacitated while coin was low, an emergency room should the cold threaten to settle in someones bones too cosily, and should you feel the need to express gratitude to a generous but stoic witcher, apparently.

You wandered past a bakers stall, sweet pastries dusted with sugar beckoned, small honey dipped loaves with specks of lavender peeking through the golden slopes glinted in the morning light, puffy buns that had been baked with a clever twist in the top to result in a soft swirl sat in a neat row identical to the sweet fresh bread Jaskier had pressed into your palm earlier. You cringed at the thought of leaving so abruptly and didn't like all this coaxing going on, and hoped he would drop the subject so you could shove the topic down your tunic and carry on your simple shenanigans with the bard.

You strolled through, eyes on the dry dirt of the worn path through the centre, ladies walking with shawls wrapped tight around their shoulders gave you curt, tight-lipped greeting smiles as you passed through looking thoroughly disheveled. You had given up on dresses, petticoats, stockings and other such extraneous garments when tripping up on hems or sweating through layers upon layers had become more trouble than your chagrin had been worth. A tunic and breeches were sported now, along with unkempt, thick jet black hair. You tended to forget what a sight you would be to normal folks, constantly surrounded by the bard in his gaudy and intricate clothing (you still didn't know how he survived on the path) and a burly witcher clad almost always in armour and under that, similar garments to yourself. you supposed the three of you stuck out like an arrow between the eyes. Your mind flashed to what your mother may have said should she see you like this. It confused you for a moment, these memories suddenly deciding they were welcome in your conscious thoughts over the past few days. you stuffed the sudden pang of guilt and shame back into oblivion as your hands moved to your tangled mop, carding roughly through so you may find some semblance of being put together.

~~~~~~~~~~~

You tried hard not to cast your eyes down to your fingers, out of practice as they were. You tried to feel the sections, pick up more as you went, comb through soft with your fingers lest the ends get tangled, keep hold of the ribbon. Roach was being very patient with you. The fire warmed your back as you sat on your knees, tending to a horse who had decided to sit for you. You didn't know much of equine tendencies, but had heard that horses do not sit save for when it was going to rain. Your mind moved to days where your little troop had no choice but to trudge through hail, rain and thunder. She did not object and kept on wonderfully through these times and was rewarded with kisses and slips of dried fruit from you later on.

She had decided to understand what coaxing her to the floor with a brushing, soft words and rubs on her neck had meant that night and folded her legs, coming down with an impressive and somehow graceful thud. You supposed you couldn't know everything about everything and the clearest answer was that she’s just a very good girl. You relaxed as your fingers fell into a rhythm - right strand, left strand, ribbon, taking care to adjust the material so the nicer side was showing. “Expensive.” Geralt stated simply from behind. He was checking through his own pack, counting off vials of witcher potions and such. “Yes, well - an extra room must have cost.. and the food I didn’t touch” you focused on your hands, knowing Geralt was probably trying to avoid eye contact, too. After hearing a somewhat soft “hmm”, your attention returned to your fingers, having now grown a mind of their own. Roach’s auburn mane turned a dark coal in your minds eye, her soft huffs to small complaints of tugging too hard “hush now, or it won’t look nice” you barely whispered as her head jerked, it was an impossible task to try tie the hair of any child into a neat row, your sisters no exception. Your breath slowed as your mothers lullaby sat in between your lips, you tried to grasp the first note of the soft song.

Sisters? Here?

Your knees were cold and sore, kneeling on the ground so long, knobs of grass settling aches into your muscles; your hair unkempt and hastily scraped back, with a small leather tie, bumps hilling over your scalp that you had no care of. Your hands were dirty, grubby from foraging scraps of dry wood to keep warm through the night. Calloused from the past few years of plucking the string of your bow with arrows that reminded you with every swift hit that death was something permanent, immediate, inescapable. These hands were not the same ones that softly put braids in your sisters’ hair. These calluses were not the same ones that came from making music.

The first note of that bloody lullaby froze on your toungue.Best to stop trying to live in the past. Not that you were, trying that is. You wanted nothing more than those memories to keep sitting in the little box in your mind where they were meant to be. Happy, silent, unbothering. Instead they kept feeling the need to rise up, to pester you and drag you away, remind you that those days would never come back, that your whole life had vanished.

Well, this was your life now and different as it was, you needed to live in it. You pushed away the offending memories for the second time that day, focusing on finishing Roach’s mane.

Impeccable timing as always, Jaskier came strolling through after having washed everyone’s clothes in a nearby stream, no doubt a vein of the river you had found yourself in those few days ago. “Honestly, why do I bother? They're bound by fate to stink of ash and dirt anyway- I know! I could write a shanty about the smoked Witcher’s shirt - a real pub sway! Sometimes he smells of heroics and adventure! The whiff of a lady’s perfume often, but will always return to the ash of a trusty campfire” he leaned to put the folded pile down neatly. You were in awe of how these thoughts came running from your musical friend, you were convinced that he could write a song about watching clothes dry and still make it magnificent.

Ah. Exactly.

A dramatic gasp came from the bard, no doubt with a soft hand upon his chest. Your fingers tensed as you pat roach and tried to seem as nonchalant as possible.

"Now! Which one of you has been able to tie a bow so pretty all this time?”

You had laced the ribbon, as careful as you could to not disturb the strings, behind where they were pulled taut to the tuning pegs of Jaskier's lute, taking care that the tails would not brush against the front or impair his hands while playing. The ribbon you had bought was a soft lavender colour, embroidered with a deep violet, floral and feathery motifs weaving through the sleek fabric. You turned to see Jaskier caressing the fine fabric “I shall have to have an outfit made to go with this! Oh what a look that could be for the bardic competition this autumn! Simply revolutionary, a great stride forward in musical fashion! Bows woven through lutes, gods-” a theatrical palm to the forehead “How had I not thought of this before- and Roach! Oh! Exquisite, Y/N,” it seemed he had finally clocked onto the fact that this was your doing, both you and Geralt huffing amusedly as he was practically flying with excitement “I daresay Roach could be a fine show horse! Beautifully healthy and muscular, a shining coat, those deep glistening eyes- “She’s not a show horse” Geralt grumbled "I said could or rather might've been, had the twines of fate been wound a little looser.." You chuckled softly as your trusty bard rambled on into the night about how he knew a thing or two about show horses (being one in a past life, most likely) and you prepared your bedroll, smoothed it out with your hands and checked how close your damp clothes were to drying. When you reflected on Jaskier's words, you thought about how the warm and bitter smell of ash and smoke and fire made from Witcher magic was comforting to you. As you settled, you tried to smell other things, maybe someday you could smell half as well as a witcher if you trained hard enough. Ash, smoke.. the small burnt remnants of a meagre fish dinner, the distinctly horsey smell of Roach, the faintest traces of lavender lingering in your hair. You supposed you could try to hone in your hearing, too. You got comfortable, wriggling a little further in, catching a glimpse of the fine ribbon you had bought before closing your eyes...it was nice to see the splashes of the bright colour woven through your little group. You could first hear Jaskier mumbling on, the scratch of his quill onto the notebook he carried, the pops and snaps of the fire, the wind breathing contentedly through the leaves above, the last clinks of Geralt's potion bottles, then the slight crunch of careful steps in leather boots, his hands patting roach and hushed, almost inaudible whispers of him calling Roach his "pretty girl".

A/N : Hello, dears! I hope you've all been well and taking care of yourselves - I know it has been a tremendous wait. i've been planning the rest of the story out (i'm rly annoyingly particular about it) and lots of things have been a bit crazy the past two months. I hope this chapter isnt dissapointing given the wait but get ready for big angst, hurt/comfort and further progression of the story and characters in the next two chapters. I feel this filler was needed to transition into the next part of the story. I might change the description some as this story is not only about the fact that Y/N can sing, but also focuses on the way that changes her relationship with the boys.

More on the interactions of this night for the boys' POV in the next chapter probably x

I'm hoping the story is well fleshed out and flowing, and that its clear that singing is a great comfort and big part of Y/N's character. I hope its easy to immerse yourself and such. Again, its such a pleasure to receive likes and comments, and i'm very grateful to anyone who has read so far... be ready for great developments! As always, constructive criticism is welcome xxx Thanks gang!

Also yall thank my lil sister for helping me write this, she doesnt have an tumblr account so I cant tag her or anything but she super cool and rambling to her rly helps me organise my writing.

stay blessed!

tagged people:

@ladylizzieofdarbyshire i cannot find @sihxm i did try xxx

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alia-turin-fanfiction · 3 years

Text

Because @golden-olea absolutely loves one of my OCs and I love him as well and she is my excuse to continue writing about him

Fic Title: Hot Spring Rating: Explicit Category:F/M/M Fandom: Wiedźmin | The Witcher Relationships: Eredin Bréacc Glas/Original Female Character(s)Original Male Character(s)/Original Female Character(s) Characters: Eredin Bréacc Glas Original Characters Original Female Character(s)Original Male Character(s) Additional Tags: Threesome - F/M/MPool SexHot Springs & OnsenBlow JobsMaster/SlaveElf/Human Relationship(s)One Night Stands

AO3 Link

She watched the elf as he walked to the hot spring. His Red Rider armor was still on him, dirt and blood covering some of the shiny pieces of metal. He wasn’t wearing a helmet, his golden hair was tied in a high ponytail and she froze as his warm blue eyes stopped on her. She bowed her head realizing she had been staring. She had been working in the hot springs for a month now, she had seen a lot of elves pass through here, soldiers, generals, noblemen and even common merchants, but he was certainly one of the most handsome she had seen.

He tilted his head in curiosity, probably seeing the blush on her cheeks.

“I think this is the part where you help me take my armor off.” his voice didn’t sound annoyed, teasing or cheerful was what she would go for. That surprised her. Someone else, using these words probably would be already shouting at her.

She didn’t wait for a second invitation not wanting to test her own luck. She came closer to him, her fingers easily finding the straps and ties of his armor. She remembered the first time she had to take one of these, her hands were shaking and she didn’t know where to start. Now that wasn’t a problem. Piece by piece she shed the metal from his body, then she unbuttoned the shirt, her movements becoming more nervous as she knew he was staring at her. She removed the garment and began folding it neatly as her eyes watched his body. She could see every muscle on his chest, arms and abdomen neatly outlined, he had a tattoo on the right side of his ribs, a horse standing on its hind legs, breathing fire. She wondered if that was something all Red Riders did, they were horsemen after all.

“Saw something you like?” he asked teasingly again and she realized she had stopped folding and had been just staring at him.

“My apologies, my lord.” she felt stupid. He had been doing that every day for a month, she should just get it together.

“Not a lord.” Aedan put two fingers under her chin and forced her to look at him, just as she was about to reach for his belt. She was pretty, big blue eyes staring at him, long brown hair reaching way past her shoulders. “And you didn’t answer my question. Did you see something you like?”

She didn’t answer, just stared at him, probably concerned she had stepped over the line. She probably had, but he didn’t care.

“You are pretty.” he said with a smile and her face turned almost as red as his cloak. “Can I kiss you?” this time she nodded, a bit hesitant but she nodded. Aedan leaned forward, and pressed his lips against hers, realizing it has been months since he has felt a touch like that. Stupid border patrools. “Why don’t you finish what you started.” he looked down at his pants which was the only piece of clothing he had left.

Her face was still flushed but her fingers resumed to his belt, then his pants. She pulled them down, stopping for a second as she saw the bandage around his right thigh.

“You won’t hurt me.” he finally said as he saw how much she was trying to prevent touching anywhere near the bandage. It had been bad a week ago, it still hurt when he walked or when he rode his horse, but it wasn’t as bad as it had been when Eredin found him bleeding, dying.

He stood there naked in front of her when she tried to make a step to the side to allow him to walk in the hot water, but he grabbed her hand and turned her with her back toward him.

“Tell me if you want me to stop.” She was a servant and he knew he could do whatever, but he did not like abusing that power. Not like that.

He kissed her neck, gently, his fingers easily finding the laces of her drass and working them slowly. His lips moved to her back, kissing every inch that the fabric revealed under his touch. Her dress fell around her feet and he pulled her body closer to his pressing her hardness against her back. She moaned as he cupped her breasts with his hand, her whole body feeling so small and fragile compared to his. He moved one of his hands between her legs feeling she was already wet, he smiled as his fingers started teasing her, gently caressing her clit until she started moaning and wiggling against him. He continued kissing her neck softly, his body wrapped around hers, as he pushed two of his fingers in her, she felt so tight around him, he needed to push her on the ground and just take her like that, but he also doubted his legs would be able to withstand that without opening the wound. He continued fucking her with his fingers, his thumb on her clit pressing harder.

“Look at you, going to come around my fingers like a little slut.” he whispered in her ear and he felt her tense under him as she came.

Eredin walked to the hotspring, it had been a long trip, he needed to clean himself and relax in the hot water. His body ached and he needed rest. The springs had turned into something like a tradition for him and his men, the mountains around Tir na Lia were filled with them. The Aen Elle had found something sacred in the hot springs, a way to relax and communicate in the peaceful environment. All springs had servants that took care of the place, but humans were not allowed in.

Eredin was about to walk to the pool, surprised that he had not been greeted by anyone, and then he realized why. The first thing that reached his ears was the lewd noises, a woman purring and moaning. Then he saw it, tall blond elf had wrapped his arms around a servant girl, one of his hands on her breasts the other between her legs fucking her slowly. Eredin raised an eyebrow, realizing who the elf was. He was surprised with the injury on his leg, Aedan was up for any of that, the man barely walked and barely rode, even if he did not complain for a second. He just leaned against the nearby wall and watched, his man was playing with the girl, her body completely helpless against his.

For his own surprise he could feel himself getting hard, the space in his pants getting tighter with every time her body wiggled against Aedan’s, but Eredin watched. Now was not the time for him to walk in. He saw Aedan moving his lips from her neck to her ear, he could see his mouth moving and words coming out of it, words he could not hear, but whatever he said made the girl tense and then she came around wiggling even harder against him. Aedan kissed her, his hand gently caressing her arm. Interesting, from everything he knew about the man he would not expect him to be the caring type. He whispered something in her ear again and the girl turned around, her face flushed with embarrassment. Eredin watched her get on her knees, her lips slowly sliding over the tip of his cock. Now was the time to walk in.

“Having fun?” Aedan groaned as he heard the familiar voice behind himself. He thought he had heard footsteps earlier, but as no one came, he thought it was just his imagination. The girl jumped away from him and stood up, turned toward Eredin but her head was bowed down in shame, her hands trying to cover her nakedness mostly unsuccessful.

“Didn’t know watching was your thing.” Aedan was trying not to growl. Things between him and Eredin were complicated at best. The man had been his commander for months now and certainly his opinion has changed a bit. At first he thought Eredin to be nothing more than a lordling, a nobleman’s son who had been given that command to get some glory under his belt until he moved to a more pleasant life in Tir na Lia. Since then he fought next to the man, with him and Eredin had even saved his ass as much as that annoyed him. Deep down he was starting to understand his initial perception was probably wrong, but he still did not like him or trust him.

“It is not.” Eredin answered as he took his own clothes off and walked in the hot spring. He moved to the furthest end of the pool and sat on the stone bench that was under the water surface. “Come here.”

The words were directed at the servant and it took her a moment to realize that, but she started walking in his direction, going around the hot spring.

“No. Get in.” Eredin’s words surprised even Aedan. Humans were not allowed in the pools, no matter what. He knew his general had shown great care about some traditions and little care about others. The girl hesitated, understandable. “I’m the master of the Wild Hunt, and you will obey me.” The way he spoke the words even Aedan would have obeyed him, if that was directed at him. The girl nodded and got in. “Come to me.” she did, following the same path Eredin had taken.

Eredin watched the girl as she walked to him. She was pretty, no wonder Aeda had gotten his hands on her, she had been probably the first female he had seen since they returned, but certainly a very good looking one. When she came close to him, Eredin ran a finger over her soft cheek.

“Was he nice to you?” his eyes were on Aedan who had walked in the pool as well, sitting on the opposite end. “I’m his officer, if he was not nice to you I will punish him.” he didn’t care how Aedan had tried the girl, his words were not for her, they were a reminder for the other man where his place was.

“He was kind.” she spoke softly as Eredin turned her around so she could face the other elf.

“Tell me, have you fucked two elves at the same time? Two Red Riders?” she shook her head for no. “Well there is a first time for everything isn’t there?” he said as he sneaked his hand between her legs, feeling the wetness inside her. “Exciting, isn’t it?” she moaned as an answer.

He lifted her a bit, making her slide down on his cock as he was sitting. Her small hands grabbed his forearms for support, nails digging in the muscle. His hands were on her waist and he picked a harsh speed, moving her body up and down his length, his hips pushing up to bury him deeper. He looked at Aedan and smiled, the man’s blue eyes were a mix of anger and lust.

“Missing your toy already?” Eredin asked mockingly as he grabbed the girl’s throat and pulled her back, exposing her chest above water. He didn’t stop his violent pace and her moans filled the otherwise peaceful place.

Aedan couldn’t decide if his anger right now was stronger than his need for release. He wasn’t jealous, the girl meant nothing to him in the grand scheme of things, but he was first there. He knew that was Eredin’s way to put him in his place and he probably deserved it, for all the times he had disobeyed in the last few months.

He was about to do something stupid and impulsive, his speciality, when Eredin pushed her off himself, the servant whimpering in displeasure. He watched as his general placed his hands on the edge of the pull, and pushed himself up, sitting at that same ledge.

“I think your pretty mouth has some work to do.” Eredin said as the servant turned toward him. She leaned forward, one hand reaching for his cock, but before she could wrap her lips around his tip, he grabbed her hair violently and pulled up. “Hands behind your back, like a good little slut.” She did, as she was told, immediately, no hesitation and then leaned forward to take him in her mouth as best as she could.

“Fuck it.” Aedan was done watching. He walked across the pool, as Eredin was giving him a smug smile. He wasn’t even going to ask him for permission.

Aedan ran his hand over the girl’s back, feeling her tense for a second, his hands grabbed her hips to keep her steady and she froze for a second.

“Don’t stop.” Eredin said as he tightened the grip around her hair.

She continued moving her head up and down on his length as Aedan pushed in her, still so wet inside her. He picked an even faster pace than Eredin had, his thrusts moving the water around them and splashing it outside of the pool. She moaned, or tried, Eredin was fulling controlling her head, fucking her mouth with the same pace Aedan was moving in her. He felt the wound on his leg open, blood showed on the surface of the water, but he didn’t care. He continued chasing his orgasm, getting closer with every move, he moved one hand between her legs, finding it easy to drive her over her own edge, and as she started coming around him, he knew he needed just a moment but then something hit his chest and sent him flying back.

Eredin almost laughed seeing the surprise on Aedan’s face as he kicked him in the chest. The man got on his feet, spitting water as he was trying to say something. The servant just moved her eyes between the two of them, but Eredin jumped in the pool, embracing her.

“Do you want to return the favor? He made you feel good twice, I think you owe him at least one.” he pushed her closer to Aedan and she stepped behind her. “Take a deep breath and make sure you swallow.” he pushed her head under water, using her hair to guide her to Aedan’s cock. Even if the water was moving he could see her finding her way. Aedan didn’t need an invitation either, he grabbed the back of her head and stared fucking her mouth fast until he came, letting her go. The servant pushed herself out of the water breathing heavily and choking. Eredin gave her a few moments, when he grabbed her hair again and pushed her under the water, her mouth this time wrapped around him. It took him a few thrusts until he came, feeling her gasp for air around him. He let her head go as he needed a moment to recover. When he opened his eyes he saw Aedan sitting on one of the under water stone benches, the servant in his arms. He was kissing her neck and whispering something in her ear.

“Get out and bring him a bandage.” Eredin had not failed to see the blood in the pool and now that the water had stopped moving he had no problem seeing the source either.

The girl didn’t hesitate, she freed herself from Aedan’s arms and jumped out of the pool, her step shaky but she found her way easily.

“You don’t need to be a dick.” Aedan sank a bit deeper in the pool, relaxing his head on the stone. “Especially after that.”

“Are you nice to the deer in the woods before you kill it and skin it?” Eredin sat on the other end of the pool, sinking up to his chin; he needed the warmth of the water to relax his muscles.

“Do you plan to kill her and skin her?” the blond elf laughed. “She is a toy, but I don’t like breaking my toys.”

“And where is the fun in that?” Eredin asked and they both shared a smile. He had learned that the two of them had more in common than they didn’t. Maybe that is why they had started on the wrong leg. He didn’t care if Aedan liked him or not, but the man was an excellent soldier and that was something he needed and respected. He was young and reminded Eredin of himself at that age. Impulsive, hungry for glory. “Are we good?”

“Ask me tomorrow when I am not bleeding in a hot spring because I couldn’t control myself when I saw a pretty face.” Aedan grabbed the stone ledge of the pool and pushed himself out, rolling his body on the floor just as the girl brought the bandage. Eredin sighed. Stubborn. As he thought, they had a lot in common.

#my writing #the witcher #eredin breacc glas

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b0n-chann · 4 years

Text

Ad’ika // Chapter 2

Protector

Warnings: none

Summary: Din, after learning that he’s going to be a father, attempts to adjust to his new role.

Din Djarin has always been a protector, but ever since he’s learned about your pregnancy, he’s been down right overbearing.

Din is like an extension of yourself, a shadow that hovers, always looming over you. And while you love him dearly, it’s absolutely suffocating. In fact, it’s about the sixth time that morning he’s almost run into you as you walk through the market for supplies. The nearly empty market, because Din woke you up at dawn and just about demanded you go early to avoid the crowd.

You look behind your shoulder, trying to be patient. You are unsure, however, if it’s the pregnancy or the metal man wearing you thin.

“Can you stop that?” You snap. Din places his hands up in front of him, a weak attempt at an apology. You give him a huff and continue down your way, looking for the garment vendor you normally frequent here.

“Ah, hello, Miss!” A pleasant voice calls out to you and you smile. Ellie has always been kind to you, putting away things that she thinks you may like. “And your Mandalorian is here too, I see.” She offers you both a sweet smile.

“Hi, Ellie,” you greet in return, your mood lifting as you wander over to her stall. “How have you been?”

“Oh same as always, honey,” she replies. The older woman glances over you briefly before looking at Din standing closely behind you, his hand at the small of your back. “I have something I think you’d like!” Ellie exclaims as she turns to look for the scarf she saved for you from a previous shipment. She yelps in surprise when she turns back around, a blaster in her face.

“Mando!” You yell, placing your hand on his arm in an attempt to temper him. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“How do you know we can trust her?” His voice hard and cold, a voice you haven’t heard since you first met him.

“You’re being ridiculous, Ellie is a friend!” Your grip tightens on Din’s arm. A warning for him to back down. Din lowers his aim but does not holster his blaster.

Ellie looks between the two of you and let’s out a light laugh. “My, my. Your Mandalorian is as protective as ever.” She shakes her head as she brings the brilliant burgundy scarf to the counter, as if she wasn’t just at the receiving end of a Mandalorian’s weapon. The woman is unwavering.

“I’m sorry about that,” you sigh. You admire the fabric in front of you, rich in color and silky to touch. “Oh this is beautiful.” The old woman did always have an eye for quality.

“It’s quite alright,” she says. “I remember when I was carrying my firstborn, too. My husband never left me alone.” She gives the both of you a knowing look.

“How did you know?” You ask in surprise.

“Call it a woman’s intuition, but you’re positively glowing, my dear!” She replies before she lets out a chuckle. “That, and Mando hasn’t let you leave his sight. Even more so than usual.”

Heat rises to your cheeks at her observation. “We are expecting,” you whisper to her, not exactly sure why you dropped your voice but you felt like it was too soon for other people to know.

“You’re going to be a wonderful mother,” Ellie remarks with a smile. “You already are! Where is your little one?” Right on cue, the child pops up from the bag you’ve been carrying him in.

“Hi, baby!” Ellie waves at the child as he babbles and waves his small hand back to her. “Such a sweet thing, and looking bigger than last time!”

“He is growing,” you tell the older lady. “Eating more and more every day too.” You bounce the child up a little higher for Ellie to take a look. She reaches over the counter to place her hand on his head but before she can get to close an armored body puts himself between you.

“That’s enough,” he says as he crowds you and the baby further behind him. Ellie shakes her head and laughs before you can chastise him.

“Oh don’t worry, I understand. Just make sure these get to them okay?” She folds up the scarf she had showed you earlier and placed a stuffed toy on top. “A present for the good news. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to celebrate anything.”

“Ellie...” you start, trying to pull out credits to pay her. She raises her hand to stop you.

“Please, dear, it’s fine. Save it for your growing family.” She hands the items over to Din before giving him a pointed look. “Now I expect you to treat her like the princess she is, okay? One bad word about you and I’ll have to teach you a lesson.” She shakes a pointed finger at him.

“Uh...yeah. Of course, okay.” Din manages to rattle out and you can’t tell if he’s nervous or embarrassed.

“We’ll see you soon and thank you for everything!” You call out to the woman as you tug Din’s hand to pull him away.

You place your arm in his as you walk down the market, looking for any last minute wares you may need before returning to the ship.

“You are in so much trouble when we get back,” you tell him through gritted teeth, sending a saccharine smile here and there to other vendors you have befriended over the past months. Din says nothing back in reply, but you can hear something that sounds an awful like a nervous gulp behind his helmet.

You make it back to the Crest late in the morning and Din seems to drag his feet more and more the closer the ship comes into view. He practically crawls up the ramp as you wait for him in the entrance bay.

“Well?” You ask him with a raised eyebrow, knowing you don’t have to explain your question. Din rubs the back of his neck nervously.

“Well, you see...” he starts, not entirely sure what to say. He’s overprotective by nature and he can’t help himself. Not when it comes to protecting you and the kid. And now that he knows your pregnant with his child it has become even worse. He’d keep you locked up in this ship if he could but he knows you’d probably try to light him on fire if he did.

You sigh, knowing you won’t get a response. Din hasn’t let you out of his sight since you told him the news. Just the other day, you accidentally cut your finger preparing a meal for the child and Din nearly had a meltdown. He forced you to lay down for the rest of the day and anything sharp and possibly dangerous to you was stowed away. You had indulged him then because he was such a mess of nerves. But you know now though that Din will probably send himself to an early grave if he keeps this up.

“Hey,” you say as you take a seat on a turned over crate putting the child next to you. “What’s going on in that head of yours?” Your voice now soft, the anger from earlier having disappeared.

Din takes a deep breath, willing himself to share his fears. “I’m...scared,” he says honestly after some time. The look on your face must tell him something because he is quick to add to his words. “Not of being a father, Mesh’la. You have given me something I never thought I could have and I am forever in your debt for it. I’m scared of losing you. Of losing all three of you. I...my parents...” Din starts, trying to form a coherent thought but the lump in his throat only grows bigger; making it more and more difficult to grasp at words.

Realization dawns on your face and you get out of your seat to wrap your arms around him. His parents. While you know he considers his Mandalorian tribe as a family, the way he lost his parents was traumatic, to say the least. You understand now his need to protect.

“Shh,” you soothe and you feel him slump against you as you press him to you. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“You have so many other things to worry about, I didn’t want to add to the list,” he admits. He places his head lightly on top of yours as he heaves a great sigh. “I don’t know what I would do if I lost you.”

“Din, we’re going to be fine. I’m pregnant, not injured or invalid. I’m still just as capable as before,” you argue.

“You deserve to be waited on hand and foot; not living on a ship, jumping from planet to planet. Not having to worry about when our next pay day is or if our lives are in danger. I feel like I’m failing you and our children.”

“Din Djarin, you absolutely are not. You have to trust me when I tell you I’m happy. So happy. I know we’re not exactly leading conventional lives right now but who cares? I’ve got you, the kid, and with another one on the way...isn’t that enough?” Tears prick your eyes and you try to blink them away. Damn hormones.

Din wipes them away quickly. “It’s more than enough, beautiful,” he murmurs softly. Carefully he places a hand on your stomach; still not showing to the world, but you both know. Not to be forgotten, the child walks up to the both of you and attempts to crawl up Din’s leg, a new tactic he’s learned to get your attention. Din laughs as he picks up the child and tucks him in his arm.

“Want to feel ad’ika, too, kid?” Din allows the child to lean forward and he places a small green hand atop his father’s. He coos happily before blinking up at you both in wonder and time seems to stop for a moment.

“What the...” you start. “Did you feel that too?” You ask Din in amazement. He can only nod back to you in response. You look down at the child, his small hand still on Din’s. “Did you do that, little thing?” You ask him and he babbles and smiles in response.

For a moment, when the child connected himself with the both of you, a sense of calm and happiness filled the entire ship. It was so fleeting it was almost missed, but it was definitely there. You place your hand over theirs and smile.

“He’s happy and knows he’s very loved already,” you tell him and Din visibly relaxes as he fully takes in the moment.

“He?” Din questions.

“He.” You affirm. “You already let the kid get away with everything, I can’t even imagine how bad you’ll be with a daughter.” You crack a smile, imagining a small girl with Din wrapped around her tiny finger.

“I do not,” he scoffs but you can tell he’s smiling under his helmet. He pulls you closer again, wrapping his arms around you and the child, still in awe at how lucky he is.

If he had been told when he first became a bounty hunter that this was his future he would have never believed it. He still doesn’t sometimes, when nightmares of the past wake him in such a cold sweat that he almost forgets where he is. It’s on those nights he reaches out for you, to make sure you’re real. But those nights have been coming farther and fewer in between. Another thing to add to the long list of reasons to thank you for.

Your sweet laugh brings him back to the present, and a sense of calm washes over him again.

“Don’t worry, you big softie, your secret is safe with me.”

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#the mandalorian #din djarin #star wars #the mandalorian fanfiction #the mandalorian x you #din djarin x reader #din djarin x you #the mandalorian imagine #the mandalorian x reader #ad’ika #din djarin imagine #star wars fanfiction #star wars imagine

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retirementhomecollab · 3 years

Text

☾ the witching hour

☾ decision: open bedroom

☾ warnings: f!reader, mention of drinking games

☾ word count: 1.9k

At the entrance of the hallway, you look back at the living room. The party is bustling to the brim. That’s what you get with the hosts’ overwhelming popularity throughout campus. Without Hiromi by your side, you’re suddenly a tiny bit conscious, a tiny bit drained. It’s okay to take a little break from all this, right? Thinking back, this is probably the first time you’ve been in the boys’ apartment. You know Kuroo, Bokuto, and Akaashi live together, and you’re friends with them, Akaashi’s even suffered through a few all-nighters of Russian classics analysis with you. With one of the doors opened, they probably wouldn’t mind you taking a breather in there.

“Y/n! Whatcha doin’?”

Back at the coffee table, Kuroo has gathered a bunch of people for King’s Cup. Over by the dining table, Bokuto wraps up what has got to be the fifth round of beer pong since you’ve arrived. You raise an eyebrow in Kuroo’s direction as Bokuto hollers at another victory — he slams back a drink anyways, and you visibly cringe at the ickiness of it all — and Kuroo only gives you a what-can-you-do-it’s-Bokuto kind of shrug. Grinning at you, he beckons you over to join them.

A small smile and a shake of your head, you mouth to him, “Headache. Later.”

His smirk falls, eyebrows knitting together with concern.

Having known him since he tutored you in a cursed compulsory chemistry class, you know that he’s about to lecture you. To pacify his mothering instincts, you follow up with a sleep hand gesture and what you hope is a reassuring grin.

Kuroo gives you a withering look, one reserved for Kenma, Lev, and the other underclassmen he claims maternal responsibility over, like you. You only continue to grin at him, shaking your head once again.

After a pause, he sighs dramatically, setting the last card down on the table.

“The room with the open door. Should be empty,” he yells.

With a mock salute, you leave the party behind you for now.

The room’s lights are off, but between the brightness streaming in from the party and the glow of the moon above the windows, it’s sufficient.

Neat and organized, you know that Kuroo must have tidied up for the party. There’s still the telltale Chair in the corner: a mountain of clothing on the chairback and a stack of textbooks on the seat.

You give an amused snort. Good thing Akaashi had the sense to lock Bokuto’s terrestrial supernova of a room from curious eyes. And probably his own from the likes of you.

You wonder what your fellow literature student’s room would look like, but you doubt he would ever invite you to his room anyways.

He’s never even expressed interest in having you over to his apartment much less fulfilling this kind of wishful thinking.

You take off your cloak, not wanting to make Kuroo’s bed too dirty, and lean back down. He has good taste: plush comforter, mattress not too hard, not too soft.

Not ten minutes later, there is shouting from outside your door, and the door is flung wide open.

“Bokuto-san, what are—”

“Akaashi, it’s for your own good.”

“Yea, ‘Kaashi, listen to your senpai.”

“Kuroo-san! You pain-in-the—”

He falls through the door frame, and you squint against the light in confusion.

Akaashi lurches forward to stop the door from slamming shut but as expected of the scheming captain, everything is well timed.

Akaashi doesn’t even bother twisting the unlocked door; Kuroo’s already put Bokuto on door duty.

He sighs, hand smoothing over the top of his head. The lights are still off but it’s not difficult to guess who’s in his room with him. It’s someone who had inspired both Bokuto and Kuroo to interrupt their winning streaks in order to lock their poor housemate in his own room. At a Halloween party he was largely responsible for running.

“Akaashi?” You guess, very confused, slightly amused.

In the moonlight, his outline is bulkier than usual, and you miss the mass of haloed curls around his head. But if your groggy state is even slightly reliable, it’s definitely Akaashi.

“Y/n-san,” he greets you with what you’re sure a smile sounds like.

Akaashi sighs again. This time internally.

He isn’t dense. He knows what his senpai are planning. It’s kind of difficult not to when he has to stop Bokuto from babbling whenever you greet them on the quad or when he threatens Kuroo for inviting you to their apartment every other week, on days that Akaashi is bound to be home alone. They’ve been pestering him for weeks to ask you out, but Akaashi has kept his distance.

And now he not only has to explain the situation but also his costume.

“Y/n-san.”

“Yes, Akaashi?”

His voice is serious, and you think that maybe this situation isn’t as funny for him as it is for you.

“I’m going to turn around,” he says cautiously. “Please do not scream.”

You give him a very confused frown before realizing that he can’t see that.

So you reply with a hesitant “okay.”

Slowly, Akaashi reveals himself in the moonlight. A shiver runs through you, in anticipation? in wariness? You weren’t sure.

But you didn’t think you’d actually scream.

“Y/n-san.” Akaashi pads over slowly, carefully. “I asked you not to scream.”

“But, but.” You look at him incredulously, hand gesturing wildly at his head. “You’re bald.”

He chuckles lightly as his hand runs over the top of his head once again.

“There’s hair at the back.” He turns his head to show you. “So, I’m not entirely bald.”

You look at him, jaw dropped to through the mattress, beyond the bedframe, right to the creaky floorboards. “You shaved your head for Toyotomi Hideyoshi?”

This time, he laughs an uninhibited, full bodied laugh, the heavy fabrics of his overcoat hunched over as he walks towards you.

He makes a whole show of carefully tearing off the scalp part, and you watch in horror before Akaashi grins at you, smile a gentle white in the moonlight.

“It’s a semi-bald cap,” he clarifies, holding up the floppy rubber. The halo of lacquered curls are back in commission, and you finally relax knowing that his gorgeous hair is intact.

You sit up, scooting over when he moves to sit on the edge of the bed. The room is getting warmer.

“Though, I’m impressed you got it correct on the first try,” Akaashi smiles. “I’ve been getting either Date Masamune or Oda Nobunaga the whole night.”

“From mainly girls?”

“Yeah, from girls and Kuroo-san.” Akaashi quirks a brow. “You don’t happen to know anything about this, do you?”

With a snort of disbelief, you look towards the door before replying loudly and clearly, “I didn’t take Kuroo for a dating sims fan.”

There is a muffled kind of shuffling before you hear a very explicit “Shh!” from not Kuroo.

You and Akaashi turn back to each other and burst into laughter.

“There’s a dating sim for the warlords now?” He chuckles.

You nod solemnly. “Date and Oda are the most popular characters.”

“Ah,” was all Akaashi could come up with as a reply. “I suppose you play it as well?”

There is a glint in his eyes as he watches you try to dance around the question. Eventually, you give up on any kind of vague answers, and give a small nod.

“Who’s your favourite character?” He asks in playful seriousness, suddenly very interested in your Sengoku boy of choice.

You’re sure that the moon turned a bright red just to highlight your embarrassment.

Akaashi sits there, pleasantly waiting for your answer.

Finally, you muster out a small admission. Perhaps the witching hour would conjure up some magic tonight.

“Toyotomi Hideyoshi.”

In the silence that follows, you can hear the breathing from outside the door, but neither of you spare those interlopers a glance.

“Not Date Masamune?” Akaashi asks quietly.

You laugh weakly at this, unsure of how to tread.

You fidget with the lace of your sleeves. “He’s too similar to Kuroo for me to take his route seriously.”

Akaashi doesn’t think of himself dense, but he supposes that self-awareness is a lifelong teaching.

But at this stage, even he knows that this is a confession, despite it coming on Halloween with him and his crush locked in his own room discussing Sengoku dating sims.

With her confessing that she likes Toyotomi Hideyoshi, aka him, Akaashi Keiji.

“I thought you liked Kuroo-san?” He blurts out.

But then he asks stupid questions like these, and Akaashi wonders if you can pass away from pure stupidity.

“What?”

“Kuroo Tetsurou.”

“I know who Kuroo is.” For you, this isn’t really the kind of witching hour you were expecting as you conduct the calmest yet most bizarre confession you’ve ever given.

“You’re very close to him.”

“We’re good friends.” You surprise yourself with your cordial, pleasant reply. Maybe it’s because it’s Akaashi that you’re like this. Despite your get up, Akaashi the Toyotomi Hideyoshi is definitely the witch of this witching hour. “Plus, that lovesick idiot probably has his own crush to chase.”

“So, you’re not in love with Kuroo,” Akaashi clarifies. In his defense, things can get weird on Halloween.

“No,” you confirm, “I’m not.”

“And you like me?” His voice raises ever so slightly, but he still keeps quiet, not for those nosy people outside but for consideration that if he says it too loudly, he might jinx the whole magic of the night.

“Yes,” you nod. “You as in Akaashi Keiji, not Toyotomi Hideyoshi, ikemen or otherwise,” you add on for further clarification.

“Oh.” Akaashi flops back down on the bed, and for a second, you’re worried you might’ve broken him. “I’m happy.”

You wait for him to continue.

Akaashi pats the space beside him, and after a moment of deliberation, you fall back beside him.

“Did you get the guy in the end?” He asks, a strange emotion in his voice, something not quite a smile but something not unpleasant. “In the game, I mean.”

“No,” you frown, “I keep getting the sad ending.”

Akaashi smiles a small smile to himself as he turns to you. Witching hour indeed.

“If I promise you the happy ending,” he breathes out carefully, “can you not scream if I kiss you?”

Once again, the moonlit red beams upon you, and you nod, a grin gradually spreading to your lips.

Akaashi cups your cheeks, and as he pressed his lips to yours in a simple lunar kiss, you’re very grateful that in the witching hour, he is Akaashi Keiji — not Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Date Masamune and definitely not Kuroo Tetsurou.

In the glow of the Halloween moon, you and Akaashi lie at the foot of the bed, his arms around you, wrapped in the magic of the night.

“They’re waiting for us, right?”

“Yeah,” Akaashi laughs. “Any longer now, and Bokuto-san might suffer from brain hypoxia with how Kuroo’s probably told him to be ‘as quiet as the grave.’”

You do love an all-rounded literature student.

“So,” you grin, already knowing the answer to your rhetorical question, “do you think it’s time to go back out? Kuroo probably wants his room back too.”

“This is my room.” Akaashi pulls away with a quirked brow. “Kuroo’s bed is unmade, and he has two Chairs.”

Once again, your face flushes red as you try to stammer out an explanation.

“You’re fine. Things have been weird tonight,” Akaashi chuckles. It’s a good thing he’s taken off the horrifying atrocious bald cap or else the beautifully mischievous expression would’ve been lost on you. “Let’s keep them in suspense a little longer. It’s Halloween after all.”

Pick a different room: > Go to the closed bedroom. > Go to the balcony. > Go to the kitchen. > Go to the hallway. > Go to the bathroom. > Go to the living room.

#haikyuu x reader #haikyuu scenarios #haikyuu imagines #haikyuu x you #haikyuu x y/n #the witching hour

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kieraelieson · 3 years

Text

Sticky Notes

G/t OC prompts 2/100

Masterpost

Borrowers Can’t be Scared of Heights Chapter 4

AO3

It was only a day later when Aisha held up a box excitedly. Holli smiled, trying to make it look more genuine than it felt.

Her mind was torn. Again.

One the one hand, she’d helped pick out the clothes, and was excited about new, warm, pretty things to wear.

But on the other hand, a human was about to dress her up like she was a doll. That was always, always a bad sign. In all the old stories, it was barely a half-step from being thrown around like a doll.

But back to the first hand, she was already negotiating her position as a human’s pet very well. She wasn’t even the slightest bit hurt, and she was being fed and even given gifts like these clothes. The hardest part was climbing up and down the ladder in the morning and evening. And since she was doing so well already, perhaps she could negotiate this also?

But humans could never be controlled. One push too far and they’d snap, and the snapping was often a bone. All her ‘clever negotiations’ would fail at some point. She’d only been digging her own grave these past two days.

But… she’d been starving on her own. And now she was more or less comfortable.

She felt a headache coming on, and forcibly shoved the thoughts into the back of her mind, focusing instead on Aisha, and playing along with what she wanted.

“So I think, if I lay out the clothes on the table, and then open the bottom of the box, set it up on its side, and drape a towel over the openings, then you can use it almost like a little changing room. What do you think?”

Holli nodded, pasting on a smile.

Aisha pulled several outfits worth of clothes out of the box, and then tore at the flaps of the box until they came off. Holli paled. Aisha was just happy and excited, and tearing into pieces something as large as Holli’s entire house while still smiling.

“Which one do you want to try on first?” Aisha asked.

Holli blinked. She hadn’t been paying attention. “Oh, um…” She looked at the clothes that Aisha had laid out. There was a light blue dress, some white pants with a pink sweater, a very frilly white thing that was most likely a dress, and two jackets, one white and one blue. As much as she loved the idea of wearing new, warm clothes, they now looked… almost painfully human. They would be much more fitted and decorative than she was used to, and probably more difficult to move around in. They were pretty, certainly, very pretty, but she was scared to feel hindered and closed in, especially around a human.

Aisha had been a good human though.

So far.

“I think I’ll try these first,” Holli said cheerfully, picking up the pants and sweater.

“Oh that’s a good choice!” Aisha said, draping a dish towel over the box.

Holli smiled up at her and went inside the box to change into the new clothes. They really were very fitted. And warm. Softer than she would have expected. She hugged herself tightly, trying to reconcile the conflicting rush of feelings before she had to go out and smile again.

“Hey, you know, I was wondering...” Aisha said from outside the box. “I left you all kinds of messages on sticky notes.”

Holli stayed silent, a pain running through her chest as she realized that Aisha might have taken offense at the ignoring of the notes.

“Did you not realize what they were?” Aisha continued. “Or… oh, sorry, I didn’t realize you might not know how to read.”

“Uh, yeah…” Holli said, trying to sound embarrassed instead of panicked. “I’m not very good at knowing what the writing says. Just a little.”

“That would make sense,” Aisha said musingly.

Holli tried hard to take slower breaths and calm down. It was fine. Everything was fine. Aisha hadn’t done a single thing wrong. There was nothing to be scared of. She was fine. This was just a bad day for some reason. That was it.

And she needed to come out of the box now anyway. She swiped at her eyes, trying to put on a smile again. Her mind was racing, and the fabric was touching her everywhere, and she wanted to go home.

To her empty, lonely, cold house…

She was better off here. She really was. Even with the stress and the panic, she was warm, she was being given free clothes and food, and she had company. Even though the company was human it still was company.

“Are you doing ok?” Aisha asked.

Holli stepped out of the box, her lips pressed together as she tried not to cry. “I’d like to be done with this for now please.”

Aisha instantly looked concerned. “Oh, no, what’s wrong? Do you not like them?”

Holli shook her head. “I do. They’re very warm and pretty. I just want…” She wasn’t sure what she wanted. She swiped at her eyes again. “I don’t want to do this right now.”

Aisha nodded slowly and carefully. “Alright. Do you know what you would like to do?”

Holli shook her head miserably, still trying not to cry.

“Ok. Well then what if I get us a snack and we do something like watching a movie? That should be nice and calm.”

Holli shrugged and sniffed, staring down at the tabletop and hugging her arms.

••^*^••

Aisha settled on making something sweet. Something was up with Holli, and there wasn’t much better than sweet treats to help with hard emotions. Though she did wish she knew which hard emotions they were dealing with.

She made some hot tea, making it very sweet and adding some milk, and then got out some oreos she had saved for special occasions.

She put the snack in the living room and came back for Holli.

“Should I hold you tight to carry you, like I did last time?”

Despite the new sweater, Holli shivered. “If you’re carrying me, then yes, I don’t want to fall.”

Aisha set a hand on the table and Holli climbed shakily into it. The poor girl was trembling all over. Was just the short exposure during the changing of clothes enough to cause this? Aisha wouldn’t have thought so, but it would certainly explain why Holli wouldn’t want to try on more outfits. It would be so much easier if Aisha could look up more about Holli and her kind. She wouldn’t have suggested trying so many clothes on if she’d known that it would make Holli so cold.

She closed her other hand overtop of Holli, even more concerned when Holli just kept shaking. She tried to make the trip to the couch quick and smooth.

“Here we go,” she said gently, setting Holli down on a pillow.

“Thanks,” Holli said, offering her a very wobbly smile.

“You’re welcome.” Aisha broke an oreo in half and set one piece next to Holli, and then considered how she could share the tea. She finally settled on a bottle cap, and went back to the kitchen to uncap one of her water bottles and bring the cap back.

With some food and tea, Holli started looking a bit better.

Aisha carefully sat down, not wanting to make the couch dip too quickly and tip Holli’s pillow. She turned on the tv, not really caring what started. It resumed some cheesy romcom she’d stopped watching in the middle a few days ago. That’d be fine. She was more focused on Holli anyway.

“Would it help if I did the-“ Aisha stopped herself before she said ‘the petting thing’. That certainly wouldn’t help. “If I rubbed your back?”

Holli looked up at her, and then stared at her hand, something like fear in her expression.

“If it wouldn’t help you feel better, I can just stay here on my side of the couch.”

Holli looked down at her tea and cookie piece, and when she spoke it was quiet. “You can try. If… if it doesn’t help… would you still…?”

“If you don’t want me to do it anymore you just have to say so and I’ll stop,” Aisha promised.

Holli nodded.

Aisha slowly reached out, sure to move slowly and clearly, with her hand half-limp, to not be threatening. Holli hunched in on herself anyway.

Very lightly, Aisha stroked a finger down Holli’s back. Holli was so… tiny. Aisha could rub her back with a single fingertip. Her little hands were gripping a piece of cookie that would barely be a crumb to Aisha. Even the bottle cap she was drinking tea out of was like a wide bowl, and she had to use two hands to lift it. She was just so small and still perfect. Just exactly a teeny human.

Aisha patted Holli’s head very gently, and stroked down her back again, very pleased to see her relax.

She turned her head to watch the movie, hoping it would make Holli feel more relaxed. Her attention was still entirely on Holli though, and on rubbing gently up and down her back. Holli gradually got more and more relaxed, especially after she’d finished eating and had drunk most of the tea. Aisha was glad. She wasn’t sure what all had caused the problems before, but she was relieved for them to be gone now.

The movie ended, and Aisha just started the next suggested one, not caring at all what it was.

Holli shifted, and laid on her side, watching the movie still, but with her eyes slowly drifting shut.

It was the most adorable thing.

Aisha kept rubbing her back gently, glancing over every few minutes to see if she’d fallen asleep yet.

It hit her then that Holli must trust her a lot. To fall asleep with someone so much larger. She’d never, ever even think of doing it, but Holli would be even more aware than she was that she could press too hard, even on accident, and hurt her badly. So for Holli to relax and even sleep it meant a lot.

••^*^••

She was drifting. She was warm, and full, and Aisha’s touch was pleasant. But more than that, Aisha was happy again. That first intentional slump forward and Aisha had smiled slightly. By the time Holli had laid down, and seen Aisha’s larger smile, she knew she was doing it right.

It wasn’t so hard, being a human’s pet. She’d worked her way through something very unpleasant, and even managed to get Aisha happy again. And gotten a really pleasant hour out of it too.

She was drifting to sleep. She couldn’t wake herself back up without being suspicious. She didn’t want to sleep. But hopefully, with Aisha being happy now, she’d stay happy and it would be ok to sleep for a little bit. And it was all soft and warm and comfortable anyway. She wasn’t sure she could resist at this point.

As dangerous as it all was, she really was pretty good at being a human’s pet. Good enough to get this nice treatment. She just had to hold onto it and not let herself break character.

But as she drifted to sleep, Aisha’s smile came back to her. It was so pretty and nice. Someday, she wanted to see the smile directed at her, actually her, when she wasn’t acting. Perhaps if she was good enough at being a pet for long enough, it could someday change to something more.

#my own work #gianttiny #100 gt oc prompts #g/t

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soyeahitsmiddleearth · 4 years

Text

Back Off

Bard x Reader

I would love a protective/slightly jealous bard, angsty romance style. Probably SFW, but suggestive behavior is fine if it fits the story. Thank you~

Growing up, things were not the easiest.

Though many have it much worse given the state of this little town on the water.

There is poverty everywhere, hungry children with raggedy clothes, and food shortages constantly, but no matter how the people plead and weep, the master of this town does nothing. He cares more for his gold and brandy than any person or animal, his only motivation being the chance to make more money and bleed the people dry of everything they have so he may support his over the top, extravagant lifestyle.

To say you were riddled by hardships would be an overstatement, but growing up with a young seamstress mother and no father left you hungry most nights and scrounging for loose coins on the boardwalks some days. She was only 19 when she had you, after all.

There are many a children like you, though, and you use this fact to keep you from becoming a martyr.

As you grew older and your mother more frail and sickly, you began to take over her seamstress duties and run her little business so she could rest more and try and regain some of her strength.

Only, she never did get stronger. Her health continued to decline, and at the age of 54 she passed in her sleep.

Those were very hard times for you, and for a while you began to wonder if it was even worth it to go on when you knew nothing was waiting for you in the future anyways.

Change can come in many different forms, and the change for you came in the shape of a tall bargeman awkwardly trying to find a dress for his oldest daughters birthday (she was turning 14, and is now 16).

You remember that day quite fondly (and very vividly). The way he hesitantly entered your home-ran store, and looked around until his eyes fell upon you.

You'd seen him around before, sometimes in the barge waters and other times in the market. You also knew his name, for the people of Laketown (especially the women) speak very highly of him for being 'a man of the people.'

One cheerful greeting and unsure explanation later, the two of you were looking at your fabrics and pre-made garments. He didn't seem to have a clue of what to get her, so you did your best to help him and asked simple questions about her measurements and all of that.

All he could do is show with his hands approximately how big she was, and at the time it made you laugh. Eventually you just told him to send her over later on and you'd collect your measurements for free.

When you said 'free' he seemed surprised and was very reluctant and stated that it wasn't a good idea, but you only smiled and said rather flirtatiously, "I can give discounts to handsome men if I so desire."

That certainly shut up his denial of your assistance.

After that day, he began to come to your home-shop more often. Sometimes to pay you to mend his clothes, sometimes to buy things for his daughters and son, and others just to chat idly and see how you're doing. Around that time you began to give him your extra scraps of fabric for free, and it served to make his youngest daughter, Tilda, ecstatic every time.

Bard gave your shop very high praise to his friends and people he sees on a daily, and suddenly you found that you've got much more business than you had before.

You thanked him with a dark blue long-coat, lined in some part on the inside in fleece. You didn't have much fleece, but you really wanted to make him this gift.

When you first tried to give it to him, he refused to take it saying that it was much too nice and you could fetch a pretty price for it if you sold it instead, but you only dropped it off at his home later and told Sigrid to give it to him for you.

He came back the very next day wearing it, a bit sheepish and there to thank you instead of give it back like you thought he would.

Suffice to say, your history with Bard is not the longest nor does it go back very far, but it's still the deepest and most important one you've got.

Anyways, you'd never taken Bard for the jealous type, and for the most part you were right about that assumption... for the most part.

You get all sorts of people in your shop at various times during the day. Usually they buy something or look around and promise to come by when they've gotten paid, but sometimes you'll get a 'suitor' that waltzes in, confident that you'll say yes to his sudden proposal.

When you tell Bard of these occurrences he usually just laughs and asks what you said, though he does seem a bit frustrated when you recount the more... forward men that wander into your shop.

And it seems that you'll have another story to tell him when he comes by later, because suddenly a man you haven't seen in your shop before comes sauntering in. From the armor he wears and emblem of the town, you realize that he's just another pet of The Master.

Regardless of your disdain for his type, you put on a pleasant smile and ask, "Hello sir. What can I do you for?"

He looks over at you with fake surprise on his face, acting like he's only just noticed you, and bows politely, "Miss Y/N, a pleasure."

"Do I know you?" You ask slowly, wondering how he even knows your name in the first place.

The man shakes his head no, "No, but I know of you. My name is Elton, my lady."

Oh gosh, another one of these.

"Well, alright. To what do I own the pleasure of your appearance here, Elton?" You say it with a fake coyness, really all you want is his money, and give him a small smile.

It seems that he think's he's won you over at the smugness that replaces his kind smile, "I came to inquire on if you'd like to accompany me to a party The Master is throwing in his halls tonight."

Haha, yeah, no.

You keep the kind smile on your face and deny just as sweetly, "No, I'm sorry but I'm going to be busy for the rest of the night."

His confident grin drops when you say no, "What?" It sounds like he's shocked that you're denying him.

"Um, I said I cannot... Was I not clear?" You remain calm and keep your facial expression pleasant.

"No...?" He asks slowly, his voice turning a bit angry.

You take a step back and glance around your front room briefly, suddenly not feeling very proud of yourself.

He takes a step forward when you step back, and now you're wishing you had just said yes and sent him on his way.

"Why would you say no? I can give you everything you could ever want, why would you say no?" He sounds mad, and as much as you would like to leave this situation, you're in your home so you can't just walk out.

"I-I said I can't, n-not that I don't want to..." You don't want to, in fact, but you're beginning to worry for your safety. He has power, and no one would blink and eye if he were to do something unsavory.

"And why can't you? It sounds like you're making excuses." Hell hath no fury like a man with his ego wounded.

You're at a loss for words, so you just stand there like a deer caught in headlights and don't say anything at all.

He reaches up and grabs your shoulders suddenly, causing you to flinch, and he demands again, "Tell me!"

The sound of the door opening gathers both of your attentions, and you're relieved to see Bard standing there.

His expression is one of surprise, and everything is still as he examines the scene before him. When he takes in your frightened state, the imposing figure of Elton looming over you, and his hands on you, his countenance shifts to one of anger.

"B-Bard!" You cry, a bit more alarmed sounding than you meant to be.

He steps in and slams the door behind him, demanding harshly, "What are you doing? Take your hands off of her." He doesn't yell, but he doesn't need to, to sound scary.

Elton digs his fingers into your shoulders a bit harder, making you wince, and asks, "Or what?"

Yeah, he probably shouldn't test him.

"I won't tell you twice."

His voice is dark and if it were aimed at you, you probably would've started crying.

Elton slowly lets his arms fall back to his sides and turns toward Bard, then glances back at you and 'tsks', "Such a waste." He then brushes past Bard and slams the door on his way out.

As soon as he's gone you slump back against the wall and press your hands against your face, just taking a moment to breathe and calm your rapidly beating heart.

"Are you aright?" You hear Bard ask from just in front of you, his voice soft and concerned.

When he got there, you aren't sure, but you don't reply to him right away with fear that your voice may break.

He reaches up and takes your hands in his gently, pulling them down to rest in his between the two of you. "Y/N?"

You look up at him slowly and give him a shaky smile, "S-Sorry, I'm just a bit shaken. I though he was gonna hurt me." Your smile drops and you look back down at your feet, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"You know I won't let that happen." He releases your hands and instead pulls you into a hug, resting his chin on the top of your head as he tries to help you relax a bit, "Bastard was lucky you were right there, I would've-"

You wrap your arms around his middle and he pauses, letting his hand rub along the expanse of your back, "Sorry..." He whispers, realizing you probably don't want to hear about the illegal acts he would've most definitely committed against him.

Bard sighs and slowly unwraps his arms from around you, "He might come back." He states suddenly, glancing back towards the door, "At a time when he knows I'm not here like everyone else does." He says 'everyone else' bitterly, no doubt referring to the other suitors who like to visit during the day when they know he's busy working. "Maybe I should have Sigrid and Tilda join you throughout the day... they could keep you company and call for help if he comes back."

Gosh you love his girls, so having them around more often would be pretty nice. "Yeah, I would like that..." Having him here with you has successfully made you a lot less frazzle.

"Everyone else?" You question after a moment, though you already know who he's referring to.

"Oh don't play coy, those buzzards who swoop in the moment I leave to vie for your attention." He reaches up and rubs your cheek with his knuckles, "They just want what isn't theirs," he states, adding at the end, "Not that you belong to me, of course."

You giggle quietly at his back-tracking, standing up on your toes so you don't have to look up at him quite so much, "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you're being jealous." You say teasingly, moving your arms to wrap around the back of his neck.

His hands fall to your waist and he pulls you up against him, pressing his forehead against yours, "And if I am?"

Another short laugh leaves you at his 'challenge', and respond to it by pressing a kiss against his cheek, "I don't know, I would've thought you'd know already that I'm all yours, metaphorically speaking."

"You are... just as I am all yours in return."

#bard the bowman #bard #the hobbit fanfiction #the hobbit #bard x reader #bard the bowman x reader #reader insert #reader #angst #romance #fluff

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darkhymns-fic · 3 years

Text

On a Night of Snow and Wine

On New Year's Eve, Lloyd and Colette stop at Flanoir, having no time to visit anywhere else and just quietly usher in the year that would come… Until wine is involved.

When it comes to alcohol, Lloyd was a lightweight. And sometimes, feelings can just slip out.

Fandom: Tales of Symphonia Characters/Pairing: Lloyd Irving/Colette Brunel Rating: G Mirror Link: AO3 Notes: Technically my last fic for 2020! Thanks for sticking with me this year.

The last time Lloyd had been tipsy was when he had been 12 years old, unsupervised, and much too full of confidence for his own good. His father’s ale cabinet had been thoroughly locked up, hidden away in a storage room full of spices and herbs. Sometimes he'd see Dirk get a small mug, bringing with it full of something frothy and dirt-colored.

So of course, he had been instantly curious.

Lloyd had already been practicing his lockpicking, and it was only a matter of hours before he finally got to the contents. He didn't exactly understand why it said ‘spirits’ on the bottle in Dwarven script, but he wanted to try it anyway. After all, he was supposed to learn all the Dwarven things from his dad, so why not this?

Dirk came home from log-cutting to find his son passed out on the wooden floors, the one bottle he had taken barely half-drunk. The Dwarven Vows he had to learn that night had been particularly ancient, with their meanings convoluted and making his head hurt. He of course forget them the very next day. Re-learning them wasn't any easier.

So, it just seemed only a bit similar, when the inn sent him and Colette some wine to their room for the night, a complimentary gift in celebration of the new year. Flanoir was once again blanketed in snow, the lampposts softly lighting up the steeple of the cathedral nearby, making the white seem so much brighter than before.

"Oh, for us?" Lloyd asked, as Colette handed over the bottle to him that the innkeeper had personally given. "It looks so fancy! And...we're actually not paying for it?" Lloyd would never say no to some free stuff!

The wine bottle had a name printed on it that Lloyd only vaguely recognized. (Did it say 'Altamira' on it?) The liquid in it was a deep red, one that caught the light of the magi-technology lamps nearby. The iron heater that stood in the corner of their room gave off enough warmth to stave off the cold, even if it made him somewhat sleepy.

"They were so nice to give it to us!" Colette occasionally blew into her hands, barely seen mist appearing in the air as she did so. Next to her, their cloaks lay on the backs of chairs, placed as close to the heater as possible. Her cheeks were a flushed red, the cold getting to her - but her smile was so wide, he didn't think he'd seen her this happy recently.

"Yeah. I guess we have some cups around here…" Lloyd was hesitant though, worried the last time he had drank anything. This was alcohol, wasn't it? Maybe I shouldn't…

"Oh, that's okay, Lloyd. I know I shouldn't drink."

The sureness in her voice was surprising. Too sure. The kind of sureness that Lloyd knew she was covering something else up. "Huh? Why shouldn't you? We're old enough now! Or uh, close enough!" They missed the mark by a few years, but at 18, he felt Colette was allowed at least a sip of wine!

Colette's once bright smile dimmed a bit, clasping those chilly hands of her together. "I was just taught that I shouldn't, you know? It might make me too silly… A Chosen can't-" she stopped, pausing on the word and sighing. "Sorry."

Lloyd instantly saw the problem.

With a flourish, Lloyd went to the glass cups that were set for them on a nearby table, quickly handing one to Colette. "Well now you definitely are!"

"Oh? It's okay, really! I shouldn't have to-"

"Colette, you're not a Chosen, remember? We've been over this." He said so as he struggled to pull out the cork in the wine bottle, even going so far as to plant his foot on a chair to give him more force (and height?) "No matter what people still call you, no matter what anyone says. You're Colette! And you're allowed to do what you want- Ah!" Lloyd finally freed the cork which flew through the air, hitting him square in the forehead. "Ow…"

Colette gasped, but also let slip out a small giggle, the sound soft and airy within the warm inn room. The fire in the heater next to them crackled, warm light illuminating the floors beneath them. "Lloyd…"

"Come on, gimme your cup! We're drinking!" He couldn't help but notice how Zelos-like he sounded, but he hoped it wasn't too weird. "We've worked hard all year for the Exspheres, so it's fine!"

"Mm...okay!" Colette eagerly held out her cup, watching as Lloyd carefully poured the wine into it. The drink sloshed dangerously to the rim, but she adjusted her hold to not spill a drop. She had gotten less clumsy over the years.

Lloyd remembered when he had simply drunk straight out of the bottle from Dirk's brewery cabinet, and the gruff voice that had pierced his foggy dreams in his hangover. Not this time though! Lloyd figured it was because he didn't drink it out of a cup like he was supposed to.

Once done, the wine bottle was half-empty, set back down on the table. The glass reflected the falling snow outside, as well as the lights of others that walked past, celebrating the evening with a soft stillness that could only be found here in this snowy place.

Lloyd grinned, held his cup up and encouraged Colette to do the same. "It does smell kind of weird but it probably tastes okay!"

Colette mimicked him, standing tall, and holding her cup to his, their glass surfaces clinking against the other. "Hehe. Should we share ours? I heard that's what you're supposed to do."

"Oh really? Let's do that!" Lloyd barely questioned it, bringing his own glass to her mouth, watching the way her breath misted in the air. But less now, since it was getting warmer in this room, and so comfortable too. "This works?"

"Yeah! I'll try not to spill!" Even as her very own laughter threatened that, even as her very own feet was close to tripping over his. Their boots were still wet from walking in the knee-deep snow outside, noses numb from the chilly breeze, from the white flakes in the air. But again, he had never seen her happier.

Besides, just one drink shouldn't mess him up too much, should it?

Even as Colette nearly misjudged the angle of her cup against his lips, Lloyd adapted. The wine was warm, a little tingly, and it didn't taste as yummy as he had hoped. But it was so warm, and he could only imagine how Colette must have felt that warmth, contrasting the chill against her cheeks.

He should have been more worried about him messing up, angling the cup too far to let some wine slip down her chin. "Uh oh! Sorry!"

"Ah! L-Lloyd!" Her laughter was light, and she used her free hand to grip his shoulder, fingers creasing the rough fabric of his jacket.

"Don't worry though, it's free anyway!" And he started to laugh too, just a small chuckle, one that morphed like the slow build of a thunderstorm. But the drink made his chest feel light, and that same warmth traveled all the way down his arms and legs, even to the very tips of his ears. "This stuff … it's pretty good!"

Oh, maybe just even one sip for him was already too much…

"It is good! But, are you okay, Lloyd?" Colette tilted her head, so full of curiosity, as she always was with everything. "You're moving your feet a lot."

"I am?" Lloyd looked down, and what do you know? His feet kept shuffling around a bit, as if he was trying to dance! That was pretty weird.

"Haha, weird!" And as he looked down, he nearly upended his drink, and doing so as if he was stuck in water, his movements stretched out.

"Oh, careful!" Colette had to gently take Lloyd's cup from his hand, while also pulling her own back. "Heh, now you're being a bit silly…"

"That bad?" he asked, half-serious. "I wanna be cool, not silly!" But he could hear it in his voice. He was definitely being silly, maybe more than silly. The same familiar fog, pleasant and nice, so nice that he could almost fall asleep to it…

But he didn't sleep. He only kept looking at Colette, who seemed a little giddy herself, though just by a little bit. "You're still really cool, Lloyd."

"I am?" And again, another chuckle left him, tickling his sides. It felt different when she called him cool, even now. It made his heart leap across miles and miles. "I guess I'm also silly too…"

"That's right," Colette said. She took his hands in her own, swaying along with him, as if what he was doing was the most amazing thing and she also wanted to try. "You can be both!"

She still laughed so freely, like she always had. Except...more now. Years before, he'd felt that she would hold back, keeping her voice from being too loud, or holding her hands so close to herself, as if trying to be as small as possible. Sometimes, he'd see her go back to that, to old habits and routines, to all those proper ways of being a Chosen - to be more Chosen-like, like he once said to her.

The room was a bit spinny, and the warmth in his limbs, in his chest, now made it to his head, as if he was being wrapped in a fluffy blanket. It shouldn't be normal to get drunk this fast, should it…?

Oh. That's what Dirk had said to him all those years ago. "Lad, how'd you go and get yourself drunk?" Dirk had been so peeved that his thick accent had slipped, making his words nigh-unintelligible to Lloyd's ears then.

He was drunk now, and he was falling, almost. Colette still held onto his hands, keeping him steady. He heard the concern there, just as her words trailed through the air. "Lloyd..?"

Even three years later, Colette was still Colette.

Lloyd reached out, arms encircling her close. "Hm...maybe tired. Maybe…" And her arms wrapped around his shoulders, the way she would on those cold nights outside, when their campfire would slowly dim, and they had to find the warmth wherever they could.

"Aw, but it's not even midnight yet." Her sadness was mostly feigned, but there was a hint of it there, just enough. "If you really wanted to sleep, we can."

It was getting too easy to fall asleep, to want that soft fuzziness in his head to surround him completely. But could he resist it? "Hmm...but… it's not midnight yet, you're right! Gotta wake up.. and not have the room spin.."

"Oh, Lloyd." Colette placed a hand over his head, fingers threading through his hair, tangles unfurling at her very touch. Too relaxing, but he didn't want to mention that. "Maybe we should have water to balance out the wine?"

"Mmhmm.." he nodded, but his gaze was caught by the way Colette's hair was framed by the window. Snowflakes continued to drizzle outside, on Flanoir where it was eternally winter. Even in Iselia, snow was so rare, he had mainly just heard of it in class when he could care to pay attention.

Outside it looked so cold still, not unlike the warmth inside, with the heater next to them, and Colette's arms around him like the softest scarf...

Lloyd picked his head up immediately, standing straight. Wait, he knew how to solve this! "We should go outside. Yeah! And…wait… we should go flying! Right now!"

Colette's hand paused in the middle of her hair-stroking, making part of Lloyd a little sad at it's absence. "Are you sure? We just got inside!" Another small space between breaths, spoken carefully. "And your wings…"

He knew what she meant, deep in the back of his head, in the part where it wasn't drowned out by wine and the dizzying heat he felt when Colette looked at him just so. What he felt for her was solid and real - and so unlike his wings at all. He had rarely used them since the first time, unsure about their reliability. A Rheiard was solid, and his very own feet were more dependable. Heck, even Noishe he could trust to get to where he needed to be.

But sometimes you needed to take a risk, didn't you?

With a grin, he leaned in to kiss Colette, fast and full of rushing feelings that threatened to completely overwhelm him. But in a good way, where his heart was beating so hard and flushing warmth and energy all throughout his body. Colette only made a small little sound of surprise, one felt against his lips before she kissed him back.

It wasn't the first time they had ever kissed, and Lloyd couldn't imagine a time there could be a last. It felt like everything, wrapped into one, his heart so full he was sure it would overflow.

He had felt like this before; something so close to desperation that he would do anything at all to keep it near him. All of it had built, and he had to do something with that intense feeling, to keep it as steady as Colette would do for him.

He leaned back, even as he was reluctant to leave her mouth. Her lips were half-parted, and the mist of her breath was still there, ephemeral like the steam of a hot drink. It made him want to lean again and swallow it up, to take that heat within him.

But he also saw the reflection of a bright blue in her eyes. "Lloyd!"

With that, he knew. Grinning wide, Lloyd reached to open up the window of their inn room. Cold wind rushed forth, instantly waking him up and be grateful for the pricks of ice he felt at his cheeks. "Let's go!"

Behind him, his wings stretched, floating motes of sapphire sprinkling out into the air, dancing with the snowflakes that drifted inside. Colette's hair whipped around her, but she was laughing and smiling too. "Now you really are being silly!"

"I know!" Lloyd grabbed Colette by the hand, one foot already on the windowsill and leading her out. "Let's keep flying until it's the new year!"

"But how will we know?" Yet that didn't stop Colette from following him, already leaning out the window with Lloyd, thin spans of pink leaving her back.

"Uh...we can guess!" And he didn't want to wait, he didn't want this feeling to end, so he took both her hands, stretched forth his wings, and soared out into the sky with her.

Flanoir was always so deeply covered in snow, and only a few times had he seen it from above in a Rheiard. The city looked like an array of little dollhouses, like the kind his dad would sometimes make for certain commissions. But that was always way high up, not like now, where their wingtips brushed across rooftops, and where they could hear the crunch of snow from people down below.

The air was so cold, and without their cloaks, they were exposed even more to the elements, the snow already damping his hair and jacket. His smile must have been frozen on his face. Maybe even their locked hands were frozen too!

Colette only held on tighter, not seeming to mind at all. "It's still so cold!"

"But it's good, isn't it?" Lloyd could only remember that one moment from her, on the way the snow had fallen on her hair, on how she reached out to catch them until they melted against her palm. Though maybe it felt different to having the snow fly against your face instead.

If other people had noticed them- and how could they not, with the way they laughed and shouted while flying high like excitable birds - he didn't mind. He couldn't, because even as they flew, he could only grasp the joy on her face, on how tightly she gripped his fingers, and how her wings made a pink pattern against the night sky.

...They didn't fly long before Colette pointed out to him. "Look out, Lloyd!"

"Uh!" His wings beat again, making small blizzards around themselves. He swerved around the steeple he had nearly crashed into, feet stumbling onto a snow-and-ice covered roof.

Then promptly, he fell right on his butt. And then just as promptly, Colette fell right on him, a mass of limbs and wings.

The snow continued to fall, and the air was still so very cold. Lloyd looked up into the night sky, right through the top foremost shape of Colette's right wing. "...Is it midnight yet?" Oh, he was going back to feeling tired.

"Ehe…" Colette giggled softly, sitting up, her cheeks so red, her hair a little ruffled. "There's a clock on one of these buildings. I don't think we're on it though."

Too hard to read clocks...too hard to move. The snow made a nice pillow, in a way.

"Should be able to tell by the stars up there…" he muttered, head laying back on the roof, unmindful to how much snow was sneaking into his jacket collar. "I bet it's already really close."

"Yeah," Colette agreed, her hands reaching out to his face, cold palms pressed against his equally cold cheeks. She was quick to connect with him this way, the natural motion never questioned, never unwanted. "And when it's passed, it means I got to spend a whole year with you."

Lloyd knew then why he felt this way, the sudden rush, the sudden desperation that made him kiss her so deeply and take her flying up into the sky, on wings that he only relied on when he had no choice left.

There was a time when Colette was not supposed to live this long. Still the years kept on growing, and still she was here.

"You always will, Colette," he told her, leaning into her touch. "For a lot more years. A lot more." It was the one real fear he had, but her cold palms that turned warm at the touch of his skin, and the wings that kept her slightly afloat, were all things that were a part of her, all still here.

Maybe, she remembered too, because her eyes brightened then, catching both violet and azure. Or maybe, it was the wine finally catching up to her, finally unlocking all the little things inside that filled her chest, close to overflowing.

"You promise I will?" she asked him, voice soft. That I can stay by your side?

Lloyd reached out to her, pulled her down, both of them so, so warm against the cold. "I promise."

So strange, to feel so light yet so heavy, to feel the heat in one's skin and yet also a deep chill. But his shiver as he kissed her again, on a slope of a snowy rooftop, was one of warmth instead. The steeple of the church was engraved against the sky, but the stars outnumbered it by so much.

Their clothes were soaked, and even his wings ached a little. But Colette was all around him and that was enough. I promise you'll stay with me, for every year.

#tales of symphonia #lloyd irving #colette brunel #colloyd #fanfiction

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muddyhippy · 4 years

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Night Terrors, Chapter 5: Check-ins and Check-ups

A Lily Of-Many-Names Mechanisms Story

(Re-posting again because Tumblr refuses to have this pop up in the mechanisms tag and I am determined to try all the things I can think of before I give up!)

Summary

Lily has another nightmare filled with darkness and bad ones later than her usual night terrors torment her and when her usual source of comfort is nowhere to be found she decides to try her luck with the one person she’s pretty sure will still be up…

Featuring; Some science officer observations, discussions of nightmares, lots of comfort, medical practice, some past Jonny whump, and some soft mechs at the end!

Check-ins and Check-ups

There was a tentative knocking at the lab door.

Raphaella frowned, she checked the ship’s time, 4:54 am. That was unusual. The only one who bothered to knock like that was Lily and Lily would be in bed by now and—

Ah.

Raphaella moved in a fluid motion, rising from her workbench and opened the door to be greeted by a slightly soggy Lily, the tear tracks and snotty nose was evidence of what had happened, clutching a fuzzy lump of something.

“Jonny not in his room?”

Lily shook her head, “M’sorry.”

Raph sighed. It wasn’t a great inconvenience, she was hardly interrupting a breakthrough, she’d just lost track of time documenting one of her less hazardous bio-concoctions. Without a word she scooped Lily and her fuzzy thing up and carried her back to the bench. Lily immediately cuddled in close to her, Gemini tucked against her chest, breathing in the science officer’s familiar scent of chemicals, leather and a hint of flowers from her long golden hair. Lily loved Raphaella’s hair, it was so beautiful and silky. She loved being allowed to play with it, threading her little fingers through the fine strands and trying to plait them carefully.

“You want to tell me what it was about?” prompted Raph.

“It was silly.” Lily thought the science officer was so clever and busy with all he experiments she felt shy and small and silly admitting what was wrong, she was a big girl and she should be able to handle one little nightmare. Even if it had really scared her. Lily hadn’t wanted to bother her, Raphaella was always kind when she did her checks on her but that was always at the same time, they were planned. So were all her fun science lessons. This was definitely interrupting and interrupting was rude.

Raphaella sighed, disappointed at Lily’s conclusion, “If it upset you then by definition it is not silly. Just because dreams are caused by synapse transfer and your brain’s interpretation of events does not mean that the outcome can be deemed ridiculous if it has an impact on you.”

“Oh.” Lily wasn’t entirely sure what that meant but it sounded like she didn’t think Lily was silly after all.

“Quite.”

“I dreamt the Aurora was all dark and cold and I could hear banging like a big, angry someone was trying to get in.” Lily explained quietly.

“I see.” Raphaella frowned.

Lily quailed a little, misinterpreting her expression and began to hide her face, “I said it was silly.”

The science officer sighed, realising what Lily thought she’d meant, “And what did I say?”

“Sorry.” The child cast her eyes down as she mumbled.

Very gently Raphaella caught Lily’s chin and pulled her face up to meet her, “No, don’t be sorry. This is a perfectly rational thing to dream Lily. You’ve been very brave and you continue to be brave. My research indicates that nightmares are a way of processing something very frightening and unpleasant that as happened to you. What happened to you was not silly so your way of processing it is also not silly.”

It had actually be a good excuse to research nightmares in general since she knew full well the whole crew got them, regardless of age. Her own ones were manageable if unpleasant, determined to remind her of things she’d much rather forget.

Lily’s lower lip wobbled dangerously.

Raphaella sighed and for once decided to take a leaf out of Jonny’s book.

Logical rational explanations could wait until she was little older. And she knew Lily responded extremely well physical comfort, she’d seen evidence of that be beyond that farthest doubt.

“Come here little proton, it’s alright.” Raphaella wrapped both her arms and wings about the upset child and began rocking her like she’d seen Jonny do. It seemed to work after all and if observed action had been proved to yield positive results then who was she to argue with empirical evidence?

“It’s alright. You’re safe. Aurora is never truly dark, Nastya, Jonny, Tim and Brian don’t really like the dark either so she makes sure it’s always bright enough. And no one can get into Aurora without our say so. Aurora wouldn’t let them in anyway.”

“An’ you’d shoot them if they did.” Came a convinced voice.

“We certainly would. Or do something more interesting but we’d make sure they never got to you.”

“Promise?”

Raphaella was not in the habit of keeping promises, they were ephemeral and inconsequential unless you could use them to get what you wanted but this one felt important.

“On my honour as a scientist.”

Lily’s eyes widened at the words, that was very important. Raphaella was the best scientist there was and science was very, very precious to her. So she very much meant it.

“Thank you.” Lily snuggled closer

Raphaella sighed once more, not really put out, she began to card her fingers gently through Lily’s silvery hair. It had been more pleasant than she’d been expecting to show Lily an exact comparison for her hair colour in the natural world, sunshine reflected off the surface of the lake. She rather thought the explanation of how light travelled and refracted might have gone a bit over her head but Lily had been an enthusiastic listener all the same which was better than her crewmates most of the time. She had been thrilled at being compared to sunshine too.

Lily tentatively inched her fingers towards Raphaella’s cascading tresses, seeking the comfort they represented, Raphaella was kind and she was safe, she looked after her using her science. Lily loved sitting on the science officers’ lap, it made her feel important and special when Raphaella spoke science to her, (like when the others told her about things they loved too) even if she didn’t always understand it, she especially loved it when she let her play with her hair. Lily wanted to grow hers just as long.

The science officer gave Lily her warmest smile, the one she had cultivated especially for the child. “Go on little proton, I don’t mind.”

Lily gave her a smile filled with wonder that quickly turned into one of happy, soothed exhaustion. Two hands, one large, one small, each carefully combing fingers through soft hair, both knowing a singular form of peace.

It took precisely two minutes and thirty seven seconds for Lily to fall asleep under the science officer’s ministrations. Lily had never fallen asleep on Raphaella before, she wasn’t normally the lulling type, leaving it to the others when the occasion arose but this was immensely satisfying, she could now see why Jonny never really complained about holding her till she slept.

She was glad this interaction was being recorded too, it would be useful to refer back to when comparing different calming methods they all used to see which was the most effective. She had a suspicion that despite all their research, Jonny’s instinctive cuddle and rocking combination from the first night was probably the more sure-fire way to settle Lily. Not that she’s tell him of course. He didn’t need to know just what a comparably good job he was doing. The thing Lily had been clutching was likely to be a Jonny concoction too, the man was deceptively good at needlecraft, he’d mended enough of the crew’s clothes over the years when sufficiently bribed with whiskey, he’d even fixed the Toy Solider’s uniform when it got torn badly enough, complaining that he’d done so only because he couldn’t stand it moping around lamenting the damage.

He’d even carefully embroidered eyes on the thing Lily held which seemed to be some sort of geological shape. She could admit whilst in her own company only that the craftsmanship on it was rather remarkable. He’d obviously gone to some effort to make her something with crystalline accuracy in some sort of fuzzy fabric and given how tightly Lily had been holding it but she’d never seen it in the mess at meal times nor had it accompanied the child to her check-up sessions, it was her comfort-at-night object. That, that was surprisingly thoughtful of him. She smiled quietly to herself.

He definitely didn’t need to know what a good job he was doing.

Maybe a hint.

He also didn’t need to know the general positives these interactions were having on the pair of them and by extension, the rest of the crew. They would all work it out eventually and if she said anything too soon the idea would be dismissed out of hand, no, it was much better to be able to make unobtrusive observations and predictions unhindered.

Lily was beginning to grow at a healthy rate, she wasn’t back up to where she should be yet but after three months she was now making steady progress. At her last weekly check-up Lily was now projected to be back on track to reach where she should be for a healthy eight year old in the next three months. They’d successfully reversed the physical damage done to her by the three weeks of acute malnutrition but the longer effects of a lifetime of not having quite enough would take longer to mend.

Still, it felt, well, nice to see her improving.

The first time she’d insisted on a proper check had been only few days after Lily had joined them. She’d asked Jonny to bring her to lab so she could get a real idea of what they were working with for Lily, exact height and weight, not to mention resting heart rate, lung capacity, bone density and a blood test to make sure everything was functioning as it should be. Lily was human so there were some basics that could be taken for granted but Raphaella wanted a solid starting point for knowing how best to reverse the damage of long term malnutrition.

She’d argued with Jonny about it for 47 minutes before he finally saw sense and agreed to bring her along. His hang ups over poor medical practice were one thing and even understandable but not to the point that it impeded Lily’s recovery.

He’d grudgingly agreed, especially when the others added their voices in assent and Raphaella assured him that she’d keep to the bare minimum of procedures to assess Lily.

Marius had argued that it was so they could help her not hurt her. Given how delicate the matter was nobody teased Marius that surely it should be him leading the investigation if he was, in fact, a doctor. As it was, they all recognised that Raphaella’s dedication to the scientific approach would probably yield better results long term. Marius and Brian advised on what she should be looking for specifically all the same.

It was Nastya who’d finally swung him into accepting the proposal. She pointed out that if they didn’t check her properly when they could have and it turned out that they’d ensured the damage done by her ship management was permanent then that made them no better than the idiots that had led her mission. A grim accolade no one wanted to earn, the more Lily talked about life on her ship the more everyone was convinced it was mission led by utter idiots doomed to failure.

She added quietly that they weren’t like their creator, that Carmilla would only be interested in tests to see how she could exploit Lily. They needed to conduct tests to work out exactly how to help Lily properly and make sure she stayed healthy and happy.

Jonny couldn’t argue with that. Well, he could. But he wouldn’t, Lily being safe and well and as healthy as she could be was too important. Kid was a bag of bones, a mortal bag of bones at that and he should know, she still spent half her time attached to him and he was honestly worried by how light she was. He had very vague memories of being young except for a few key things but if he really thought about it he was sure at eight he’d been taller and broader. That wasn’t a bullshit boy vs girl nonsense thing either, he was sure he’d been taller and heavier at her age and that was with his family set up. Something was wrong. Raphaella was right, they did need to check.

He didn’t have to like it though.

Raphaella wasn’t sure which of the two were the more nervous coming in to the Lab.

She made it more into a game in an attempt to settle them both, it wouldn’t do for their nerves to set up a negative feedback loop. She got them both to play catch with one of her more robust recorders so she could check hand to eye coordination and reflexes. She challenged Lily to scrunch up as small as she could then stand on her tip toes and then stand as straight and flat-footed as she could on her weighing scales.

Raphaella had Jonny pick her up and hold her as though they were posing for photo whilst she deployed the scanner for Lily’s bone density, explaining that she wanted close ups of her smiling face. It covered her dental development too.

Checking her ears and throat had been relatively easy, getting silly to pull as ridiculous faces as she could whilst trying to sing ‘Old King Cole’ worked on her throat and the otoscope was hardly invasive.

Jonny had managed to keep things light enough asking if Raphaella had found some of Ashes’ missing gold down there. Lily had been indignant and Raphaella had played along, pleased he was trying to make things easier.

The blood test was unsurprisingly a little harder of a sell.

Lily went rigid with fear when she saw the needle.

Hmm. Understandable but not helpful, it was one of her smallest ones as well.

Jonny cleared his throat, his own spine stiffening and also not taking his eyes off the syringe. “Why don’t we have a go with the stethoscope first?”

That was a surprising suggestion coming from him. Raphaella had been planning to brace herself and try to use that as a wind down but maybe there needed to be buffer. She decided to put it to Lily to decide.

“Lily, I’m not going to hurt you. I need to take a little bit of your blood to check everything is working as it should be inside you. Your blood can tell me all sorts of important things that you yourself won’t be able to tell me.”

Lily still looked scared. Raphaella found it wasn’t an expression she liked to see on so young a face. Raphaella had no problem being seen as intimidating or even down right terrifying by those who crossed her path or got in her way. That was half the fun, but on Lily? No, she didn’t like being the cause of that fear one bit. The test was still needed though.

“But you’ve got a choice,” she continued in the tone she’d already modulated especially for the child, no-nonsense but gentle, firm but soft enough to put her at ease most of the time. “I can take this sample now then use the stethoscope to listen to your heart and lungs or I can listen first and then take the blood sample but either way I need to take it.”

The child had tried to melt into Jonny, clinging to him, fingers burying in fabric and belts.

Raphaella tried not to notice that the comforting hand that was running up and down her back was trembling.

Lily turned to face Jonny. “What do you think?”

Jonny tore his gaze from the poised syringe and did his best to look relaxed and nonchalant despite the fact his heartrate had audibly trebled, “I think it’s always better to get the thing that scares you done first. Raph’s right though, she’s only doing it because she wants to make sure you’re okay inside and out. It won’t hurt, it’s more like getting a sharp pinch on your skin for a second and then it’s done.”

He didn’t mention that it was fine when blood was being taken from you rather than a bunch of different poisons being injected into you over and over again to see how quickly each one affected you and how quickly you came back. How each one burned and cramped and ripped through every single system until he was desperate for death. He was the first after all. Carmilla had to make sure her new creation was full-proof and indestructible. That he could come back from anything.

“How do you know?”

Jonny smiled ruefully, “I’ve had a lot of injections over the years, given lots of samples too. It doesn’t hurt.” ‘It’s what comes after’ remained unsaid.

“Oh.” Lily clearly thought about it, weighing up the pros and cons. She eyed the stethoscope on the science officer’s workbench. She knew how that worked at least. There was something right next to her that might make her feel braver. “If Raphaella takes a sample can, can I listen to your heart while she does it?”

Jonny was halfway to opening his mouth to say ‘no’ on sheer reflex when Lily added in a small voice, “I don’t want to watch. I don’t like blood. It goes bad and gloopy and changes colour too quickly. And it smells horrible.”

Well fuck. He could hardly say no to that.

“You won’t be able to smell it Lily, it’ll be in the syringe.” Raphaella tried to distract, she was well aware of Jonny’s dislike of anything to do with exam practice. She was actually impressed he’d not just dumped Lily on her and run, that he’d taken part so far. He had more courage than she gave him credit for, that or a greater sense of guardianship than she’d expected. Either way, he was making her job much easier and she appreciated it.

Raphaella had tried to get a better understanding of his Mechanism not long after she’d joined the crew, intrigued by the ticking of his chest. She’d come at him with a stethoscope and woken up in the wreckage of her workbench recovering from 6 gunshot wounds.

She hadn’t pursued that line of research further.

“Still don’t like it.” Lily half spoke into Jonny’s chest and half to the science officer.

“That’s fair enough.” Conceded Raphaella

Lily’s eyes were doing the thing again. The thing where they took up half her face, she gazed imploringly up at him. “Please?”

Fuck. He really had to immunise himself against that. Later. Now though?

He swallowed. “Sure.”

Raphaella raised an eyebrow, fully prepared to snatch Lily out of his arms and rocket skywards if he looked like he was going to detonate like he did last time.

Jonny gave her tiniest nod.

This was Lily. He shook himself internally. It was Lily. Lily couldn’t hurt him if she tried. Okay, well she could but she wasn’t armed right now and she liked his ticking. He forced himself to watch her, to brace for the touch of the disc. He’d be ready, he’d know. If he closed his eyes there was no guarantee he’d be able to hold it together for her. This was Lily reaching to him for comfort, he reminded himself firmly. She needed him to distract her from something frightening but necessary. Lily wasn’t going to sigh and tut and then open him up.

He wasn’t strapped to a table.

He forced himself to breathe as calmly as he could, the way Ivy had shown him from one of her books when he’d taken refuge once in the earliest incarnation of the library.

He was fine, he was holding Lily. He was free to move. He was holding Lily and being reassuring because needles were frightening. He was proving it was fine. It was fine.

The disc made contact.

It took everything in him not to bolt.

“Jonny, your ticking is very fast.” A little voice piped up matter-of-factly.

Before he got a chance to answer Lily had already drawn her own conclusions.

“I know I’m not a proper doctor like Raphaella but I won’t hurt you. See?” She took the disc off then pressed it even more gently against him, then rested her head on him too, trying to be reassuring.

Fucking Hell. That she thought she could hurt him? Like this? At all? But the pressure helped. Carmilla had never been gentle with his chest. She’d never been gentle full stop.

Lily was.

This was Lily and it was fine. He held her a little tighter. “I like this,” she spoke quietly, as if she was speaking directly to his heart but then again, when wasn’t she? “I can hear your ticking all around. It’s going slower now.”

It took two tries to speak.

“T-That’s because you’re doing a good job.” Raphaella was watching him like a hawk, despite the fact he’d drained of colour and there was a noticeable (to her experienced eye at least) tremor running through him he was still sat still and solid for Lily, making no sign that he was about to flip her workbench.

“I am?”

“Of course.” He managed the ghost of his usual grin, “I don’t let just anyone listen to me.” If only she knew how true that was.

Lily beamed at him, utterly delighted. Just as Raphaella took her moment.

Jonny was aware enough of the situation to catch Lily’s face as she turned to see the source of the sudden pinch, directing her back to look at him, the surprised ‘Eeep!’ already escaping her lips. “Keep looking this way Lemondrop, it’s alright. Keep listening to the ticking.”

Tears pricked the corners of her eyes.

“It’s alright,” he ran his fingers through her hair, hating that she was upset, hating that they were doing this. He’d always sworn he’d have nothing to do with anything like this but here he was. A necessary evil. “It’s alright, she’ll be done soon. You’re being very brave.” He didn’t dare rock her and risk jostling the needle so he hummed instead.

She clung to him with her other hand, with a muffled whimper but did as he asked. It didn’t hurt, not really but the idea of something being stuck in her was an idea she didn’t like. Still, Jonny had her and she could hear his ticking loud and clear and he said she was being brave so that was good. She could hear him humming Rose Red as well and she couldn’t help but relax, Jonny had her, she could hear his ticks and the humming and she could smell his spicesmokewhiskey.

It was okay.

She was safe.

They were looking after her because she was part of the crew, they cared about her. It was alright.

All at once there was the feel of something going away and something pressing on her arm.

“There we go, all done, good girl, you’ve been very brave.” Raphaella finished taping the small cotton gauze to her arm covering the tiny pinprick of blood.

Lily took a moment to take in the sight of her arm and then the science officer, Raphaella had been right, it hadn’t hurt. It had been scary because she wasn’t sure what it would be like and she was scared it would hurt because they were bigger and stronger and braver than her and that they said it wouldn’t hurt because it wouldn’t hurt them when they had to have needles in them but actually, it had been a bit of a shock but it hadn’t hurt at all and Jonny had made her feel safe all the way through and he wouldn’t do anything to hurt her or let anything else hurt her anyway.

She gave a sunny smile to Raphaella.

“It didn’t hurt!”

Despite herself, Raphaella was rather pleased, she allowed a knowing grin to bloom across her face, rather than the haughty scoff that she saved for the others, “I did say.”

“You did!” Lily beamed wider.

“Well I’m glad I was proved correct. Are you ready for me to take a turn listening to you?”

“Yes.”

“Good, I just need a listen to your chest and then we’re all done. Can I have the stethoscope back?”

Lily carefully removed the buds from her ears and hand the piece of equipment back, she missed hearing Jonny’s ticking quite so loudly. She leaned against him instead.

Raphaella decided not to comment on the sudden drop in tension from Jonny the second the disc was taken away from his chest.

With gentle efficiency she had the device in her own ears.

“Can you sit up straight for a moment please?” Lily did so, “then take some nice deep breaths for me.”

Lily did the best she could.

After a few minutes Raphaella sat back, satisfied.

Her initial suspicions were well founded, Lily was almost chronically underweight and under-height but that could be fixed with care. Her lungs and heart seemed strong through and her reflexes as well as hand to eye coordination were sharp and focused, ears and throat were clear of infection too and that was the most common source of ailments for human children according to her research. Lily was a fighter and, pending the results of the blood tests had no reason not to make a full recovery. That was pleasing and definitely worth the few uncomfortable moments.

She gave Jonny a short nod over Lily’s head.

The relief in his face was something Raphaella was going to remember for long time to come. She might find him deeply irritating most of the time but he’d certainly proved himself when it counted. He was many things but could not be accused of being a selfish bastard. At least, not right now.

“Alright then, all done here. I think you’ve earned something nice.”

“Really?” Lily perked up even more.

“Oh yes.”

“What?”

“I happen to know Brian’s been busy in the kitchen with Marius.” She happened to know exactly because they’d planned it earlier, it was only fair for Lily to get some sort of recompense for having to go through something unpleasant. It was something they all wished they had had when they were young (not to mention everything that had happened since they were young).

The excited squeal that erupted was something that warmed both of the adults in the room and would certainly not get passed on to the chocolate cake bakers. It wouldn’t do to give them ideas after all.

Not for the first time they found themselves hand in hand with Lily, swinging the excited child all the way to the mess.

Raphaella came back to the present and smiled as she held the currently comforted and sleeping Lily, the child had got far more used to the weekly check-ups following the first one, it helped that her blood came back fine and healthy, no underlying issues to be concerned about so no more blood tests were needed.

She still liked to listen to Jonny’s heart with the stethoscope during the check-ups.

Jonny still endured it for her sake.

Raphaella thought that over the weeks he’d looked a little more relaxed each time.

The check-ups proved what they were seeing in real time. Lily was mending. She was putting on healthy weight and starting to grow, her skin was starting to have a glow to it again. It felt nice to have used her research and scientific approach for unquestionable good for once. She’d shared her findings with them all. The rest were pleased too. They’d made a comprehensive list of supplies with Ivy and Raph’s information that Ashes organised and sourced. Marius and Brian eagerly added more recipes to the collection and the others made a point of each eating vaguely healthy snacks every so often so as to not make Lily feel like she was the odd one out. Regular mealtimes helped too.

It was satisfying to see that improvement over time, Lily was proving to be a fascinating research study that Raphaella was very much invested in. It was also immensely satisfying that the rest of the crew was just as invested her topic of study for once. Seeing Lily grow and heal and improve was something that was having a positive effect on the rest of the crew, she’d noticed (and made notes of course) that the crew interacted more frequently and more positively usually when Lily was present but sometimes even without her there. These developments were, pleasing, to put it into layman terms. Though Raphaella wasn’t entirely sure why. It would take further investigation of course but she did have eyes, the positive interactions were slowly improving the general well-being in the crew, communal mealtimes and friendlier banter seemed to be improving moods across the board.

Most notably of course was Jonny.

His general comportment had softened a little, his violent outbursts reduced and he definitely looked like he was sleeping more regularly. Raphaella estimated his alcohol consumption had dropped by a least a bottle a night which was rather impressive, it wasn’t like the alcohol did anything long term since all their mechanisms prevented permanent internal damage, especially when one was killed far too frequently to even consider organ failure due to extensive alcohol poisoning. But still, it was nice to see him looking more, centred, for lack of a better word.

Heavy boots made their appearance on the peripheries of her hearing.

Think of the devil…

Raphaella took a moment to soak up the situation, Lily had fallen asleep against her peacefully and easily as if she were her mother. It was a completely new experience but not an unpleasant one it turned out. Raphaella had enjoyed introducing the scientific process to Lily over the past three months, teaching her the basic principles of chemistry and physics and now botany since she’d set up the hydroponics lab with Nastya and Ivy. That had been a fun collaboration and all three enjoyed Lily’s delight at each seed sprouted and new leaf grown.

She’d added a whole new strand of research to her study too, the poisons and toxins of plants were fascinating and she was eager to put those to good use when the next opportunity arrived. There was always opportunity for hybridisation too. Excellent.

The heavy boots stopped right outside the lab door followed by an uncharacteristically gentle knock.

“Come in Jonny.”

The first mate entered looking annoyed at the presumption that quickly melted into relief when he saw a sleeping Lily in her arms.

The science officer gave him an appraising look. Despite the obvious panic at not knowing where Lily was Jonny still looked calmer and better rested than he had for centuries. Raphaella found she liked that look on him, he seemed far more settled, music rehearsals with everyone had become a lot more productive too, always a bonus.

She still found it funny he refused to use his ship communicator to ask the group chat where Lily was on an evening she had a late nightmare-startled wander, clearly too proud to admit he’d lost her. It wasn’t as if she could get into any real danger any more. Both the Octokittens and Stowaways knew not to touch her and Aurora wouldn’t let her get lost anywhere too dangerous. Then again, the day he did they knew it would be a serious one.

As it was the first mate was only looking marginally stressed and panicked, a whole lot better than she’d seen him look.

Jonny took in the sight of Raphaella as he entered the lab. From the lights behind her and a sleeping Lily in her arms the science officer resembled an angel that he’d seen statues of on multiple worlds, beautiful and terrible, just as he remembered the preacher talking about on Sundays when he was small. He’d seen what Raph could do to somewhere or someone that irked her and he’d come to believe all those stories.

Still, the look she was giving Lily as he walked in was something else, it was a face he knew she saved just for Lily, that slight softness, a pride in her eyes and smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

Jonny knew Raphaella was incredibly pleased by the progress Lily had made both physically and with all the science lessons she’d been teaching, Lily had talked his ear off about all the things she’d made by experimenting. The physical checks were good too, in their way. Much as he hated them. If he really had to admit it, the checks were worth it, it was good to know Lily was on the right track at least, that they weren’t making a mess of her, at least not physically.

“Thought she might be here.” Came his way of explanation,

“Well congratulations.”

“She been here long?”

“Only half an hour or so.”

“Good.” He stayed curt, not wanting to give her room to rinse him more than he was expecting, Raphaella had a way with words that could cut like one of her scalpels if he wasn’t careful, most of the time it didn’t bother him but if it was about Lily and how he handled her, it tended to cut to the core of him, much to his annoyance.

“How did you lose her this time?”

“I didn’t lose her!” he snapped, “She just got up when I wasn’t around. I do check the times on things you know, she’s usually up at 11, 1 and 3 so much that you can set a metronome by her. It’s not my fault she just got up out of sequence!”

“And you weren’t in your room because?” pressed Raphaella, not giving an inch.

“Because I wasn’t!”

“Jonny,” Began the science officer in a deceptively gentle voice, “I could wake her up and make Lily ask you with her big blue accusing eyes.”

The first mate looked furious he was about to say ‘you wouldn’t dare’ but Raph absolutely would to prove a point and he really didn’t want to risk having to admit the truth to Lily, he found it incredibly hard to lie to her properly after all.

“Fine, Lily mentioned a birthday coming up some months from now and I am making something for that. Away from my room. Lost track of time. That’s it.” He ground out.

“A secret something I take it?” Raphaella teased, amused to have caught him in such an obvious lie, Jonny on the whole was usually quite good at lying. He managed it effortlessly on stage after all. And he was damned good poker player.

“You won’t find it.”

“It wouldn’t have anything to do with the bits of clothing several of us have missed over the last few weeks would it?”

Jonny’s ears began to turn red.

“No.”

‘Aha.’ Thought Raphaella. But she was intrigued enough to let it stand, it was honestly rather refreshing to have Jonny do something vaguely productive outside of his musical and lyrical talents, repair work not-withstanding. There were only so many theoretical studies of chronic alcohol abuse and sleep deprivation she could observe before it got tiresome. This proved to be far more interesting.

“Alright then, well I await to see the results with bated breath.”

“Fuck off Raph.”

“I could just wake her.”

“I could just shoot you.”

“You know you won’t.”

The impotent rage on Jonny’s face was amusing to witness.

“Fine, but I fill find a way to make you suffer.”

“I look forward to it.”

He matched her feral grin, feeling like he’d at least gained somewhat of an upper hand he moved on to the more important issue, Lily hadn’t been out of her bed unexpectedly for the last month, not since she found Brian during the poker game.

“What was it about this time?”

“Doors being rattled and banged on by enemies in the dark.”

“Oh, standard then. Good.”

“Standard? I thought they were all like this one?” This was interesting, there were others? Raphaella got halfway through that thought and froze.

Uh, Jonny realised he’d not actually shared a lot of detail of Lily’s nightmares, he passed on the basics to everyone at Tim’s insistence after she’d climbed in with him, demanding to know at least what they might have to deal with if the crew was now fair game to ask comfort from. The others had backed him up, the bastards, and he’d been forced to share a bit. He didn’t really want to, nightmares were private things after all and it wasn’t fair for him to share stuff that bothered someone else but as it had been pointed out, Lily was a child whom they all cared about, whom they were all guardians for and thus they all needed to know likely sources of upset and triggers to avoid when they spent time together, either during the day or if they happened to be the ones to comfort her at night.

He’d relented, wanting to make sure she always had some solid options for comfort. He knew in excruciating detail how unpleasant it could be to suffer that sort of fear and misery on your own. Until you learned to ignore and bury it that is.

So the others knew the basics at least, it was always the threat of attack, rattling and banging and bellowing in the dark unsurprisingly. He tended to keep the extra details to himself though, he knew how desperately Lily wanted to be seen as a ‘big girl’ by the crew. Even though there was nothing she could say or do that would actually make them think she was somehow less. Kid had endured enough and was still pretty functional, that was one hell of an achievement already. And she was stil mortal.

Sometimes her nightmares was flavoured with gunfire (though not Tim’s apparently, that sounded different according to Lily, Jonny had no idea how the hell gunfire could sound ‘friendly’ but supposedly Tim’s did-children clearly had a higher nuance of sound perception-it made music lessons all the more interesting that was for sure), sometimes it was visions of what was left of her crew, her parents dying and on one particularly horrendous night images of her parents demanding to know why she hadn’t saved them. He had mentioned that one to Marius and then the rest of the crew since it had taken the singing of the entirety of ‘Alice’ to lull her back to sleep bookended with ‘Rose Red.’

The one about her being left behind that she told to Brian was concerning, that one he had talked to the others about straight away, worried that taking her to a planet had, in fact, been a bad move. Given that that was as near as an admission to the idea he’d been wrong about wanting to take her planetside actually had them all discussing it properly with only minimal jeering. It ended up being pointed out that since it was such a new experience, even though it had been very positive, Lily’s subconscious was so traumatised it wasn’t surprising it had sparked off a different set of nightmares.

It had assuaged the guilt a little at least. He was glad she clearly had really enjoyed the visit.

“Jonny?”

He realised he’d been staring into the middle distance and not actually talking. Shit.

He refocused on her. A look crossed Raphaella’s face that he’d seen maybe once or twice before in all the years he’d known her. A hint of worry.

“Does, does she have nightmares about what we, what I,” she corrected, “do here?”

That question knocked him sideways, his initial instinctive bastard response died on his lips. This was Raphaella actually asking him, Jonny, for reassurance, reassurance that what she was doing wasn’t physcologically damaging their charge. He’d never seen the science officer look unsure before. Jonny realised he had a choice, he could lie and tell her that yes, the check-ups upset Lily and he’d had to calm her down from a lot of nightmares inspired by Raph’s actions or, or he could be honest.

He thought about how genuinely devastated he’d be if one of the others told him that the reason Lily had come to them wasn’t because she couldn’t find him but that she was scared of him, that she’d had a nightmare about him because of something he’d done. He felt his guts twist. No, he couldn’t do that to Raphaella, he could murder her happily along with the rest of the crew whenever Lily wasn’t about and he’d been suitably bored or antagonised but lying about this?

He couldn’t do it.

If he stopped to think about it, there were quite a few things he couldn’t do now. All involved Lily, he couldn’t lie to the others about her, they were all in this together, more so than anything they’d been bound by previously. Jonny knew he was the primary source of Lily information but he actually respected that fact and that he should share as much as was reasonable to make sure it was as easy for the others to comfort and look after her as possible. This communal guardianship parenting thing they’d fallen into was working but it needed proper communication much as it felt like pulling teeth sometimes. It was needed so he did it. So they all did it.

He fixed Raphaella with as sincere look as he could manage.

“No Raph, she’s never had a nightmare about you or the check-ups, I think she’d settled into them, always asks me stuff about what you do in the lab so I reckon you’re fine.”

Raphaella tried and failed not to look relieved.

“Oh, well, thank you that’s, that’s preferable.”

Yeah, it is. Her ship’s done enough of a number on her, she’s been here long enough now to know, I think, that we’re not trying to fuck her up.

That seems like a reasonable conclusion. She’s not been put off by what she sees on a daily basis, between Tim’s shooting practice, TS’s stories and my science if that’s not affected her negatively then, for the moment we may remain in grace period.

“What do we do when that ends?”

“We’ll have to slowly introduce more regular elements of life on board to get her more used to things, little by little, it seems to be working so far.”

Jonny considered, Raph did have a point, last week something had exploded and whilst Lily had gone stock-still and the colour drained out of her face she hadn’t cried or outwardly panicked, instead asked Jonny very quietly if they could find out what happened, because ‘it was probably Tim trying his new canon that he had been showing her through the building process but could they go and check please just to make sure?’

So they had and it was. Jonny was feeling pretty fucking murderous but Tim had ignored him and got there first, explaining when they arrived exactly what he’d been upto, that he was sorry it went off without her there to see but the trigger had been too sensitive. He’d shown Lily the system and rig so that she understood the weapon and where the sound had come from, feeling much happier that she knew this was something to protect them and not a sign that they were under attack.

Jonny had planned an elaborate murder for Tim and braced himself for an onslaught of nightmares that never came. Well they did but it was just the usual, banging on the doors in the dark one nothing to do with Tim or his explosions. He’d been waiting a full eight days and nothing. He was beginning to suspect Tim’s approach of including Lily in the construct of the weapon really had been a big help. Clever bastard.

“Yeah, that’s, that’s probably as good a plan as we’ve got.”

Raphaella considered, Jonny didn’t have to have been kind a moment ago. But he was. She’d almost entirely forgotten what it was like to be concerned about the long-term effects of her science and she hadn’t liked the feeling whatsoever. He could have made it worse and didn’t. That certainly counted for something and definitely towards her working theory about him and his own developmental track.

“It’s probably better than what she would have in any other circumstance or with anyone else who might have rescued her. We’re all doing well with her, physically and mentally, we’re all in this together and it’s working, I can see it in my results and charts as clearly as I see it on her, against more odds than I think even Ivy would be comfortable calculating we’re improving her, as a crew, she’s healing and mending, and,” she considered her words, “you’re both the catalyst and accelerator in this compound of all of us, with all the variables.”

Jonny began to open his mouth.

“You’re good for her, my research indicates it.” Elaborated Raphaella stiffly. Being kind and gentle with Lily was far easier than she expected it to be, transversely being articulately kind to her crewmates was decidedly harder, she’d had very little practice and took refuge in her scientific terms, they always flowed more easily.

Jonny’s eyes widened at the implication of what she was saying. That it was her saying it.

Still, with him, sometimes actions spoke louder than words.

Very carefully she handed over Lily to him, fuzzy rock thing and all, taking care to catch Jonny’s hand in the process and squeeze it for the briefest of moments.

She was deeply surprised to receive a returning squeeze, equally as brief.

She tried to read his face, a myriad of expressions flitted over him, shock, confusion, wariness, pride and elation before settling back to his default of ‘cocky bastard smirk’

He held Lily close a moment then allowed a softer, sincere expression to linger in his eyes, “Thanks Raph, s’what the crew’s for, everyone’s got a job with this one.”

He sobered and shifted, face returning to its usual look, his regular swagger sliding into his stance, “See you at breakfast.” He threw out his familiar feral grin without the need or will to add a snarky comment and sauntered out with a Lily tucked up against his chest who was at least half an inch taller and several pounds heavier than when she arrived.

They were working as a crew and it was mending Lily.

Not for the first time Raphaella considered the pair as they left her lab, a fond smile spreading across her face. The unlikeliness of this scenario had already cost Ivy one full notebook but the science officer could honestly conclude that she was deeply satisfied by this anomaly and looked forward to the further variables it generated.

Otherwise, what even was the point?

Smile still on her face she settled down to update her research log on the day’s nocturnal events. Her file was getting decidedly long.

Raphaella found that only pleased her more.

#the mechanisms #jonny d'ville #raphaella la cognizi #Lily Of-Many-Names #I really hope this posting works #I am sick of tumblr screwing me over #I just want my mechs content to make it on to the mechs tag #IT'S NOT HARD TUMBLR #Just post it like I tag it!#Argh!

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yupitsfinnhudson · 3 years

Text

giving a little more than thanks | finlexis

Who: Alexis St James and Finn Hudson - @alexis-st-james

Where: Finn’s Room Ohio

When: 26th November 2020

What: Alexis wants to give Finn a thank you after their Thanksgiving meal,

Warnings: Smut, and some references to dubious consent

Thanksgiving hadn't gone so terribly, Alexis had decided. The dinner was nice -- Carole was a really good cook, and didn't seem stressed about handling the feast, especially for all the mouths she had to feed -- and the conversation flowed nicely, even if there had been some awwkardness regarding Fae and Rory watching a bottle of wine like cats waiting to strike on a family of birds, and a few veiled jokes at Fauna and Sawyer's expense. The days after it had been nice as well, the secret picture burning bonfire with Fauna aside. All week, Finn had been earnest and helpful and kind, and she had decided to make it up to him. She had gotten herself comfortable in his bed, staring at the ugly checkered bed-spread she had grown accustomed to, the cowboys on his wallpaper peering down at her. Finn was on the air matress a tad too small for him, his long legs having to curl under him so he could fit under his duvet properly, lying beside her. He had initially insisted he take the couch, which then led to the air mattress in his own room, not taking no for an answer when offering the Domme up his bed in the meantime. Alexis shifted onto her side, peering down at him, feeling bad he probably hadn't had a comfortable night's sleep all week. "Finn? Do you want to come join me?" She asked him, "I'm feeling a bit cold."

Finn had been feeling a sort of pleasant warmth in the pit of his stomach since he had arrived in Ohio. Everything was going according to plan, Rory seemed not to mind being there, Sawyer was happier than ever, Faith seemed steady. And Alexis well, to him she fit just perfectly into the whole thing. While he still couldn’t quite get over the image of her in his room to align with what he knew about the world, it just made him happy to see her sleeping with his cowboys on the wall. He didn’t mind sleeping on the air mattress if he got to see her in his bed, the night before he had found himself while unable to sleep just sort of staring at her like that vampire bloke in twilight. She spoke and he looked up, worrying when she said that she was cold. “Okay Miss Alexis.” He said, pausing a little as he stood up from the floor. “Do you want me to go and get you another blanket as well?” He asked, as he lifted the covers and got into the bed beside her. “I don’t want you to be cold.”

She just smiled at him, and shook her head when she offered her a spare blanket. "No I'll be fine," She promised, not even feeling that cold to begin with, but didn't know what else to say to get him in bed with her. Admittedly, the heat radiating from his body vastly improved the all-round comfort of sleeping in his bed, and she shifted to face him, cold toes being tucked under his legs for warmth. Her hand went straight to his chest, her other hand playing with his hair. "You're always so good for me," She observed, the hand in Finn's hair travelling to trace his jaw-line, "I think you're overdue for a reward, don't you?"

"Good." He nodded, and then remembering Caroles host training he added. "If you do need anything you just let me know okay? My Mom would literally disown me if she thought that you weren't getting everything that you need." He teased though he was also deadly serious. He was more than happy to let her curl her body into him, his arms easily wrapping around her. It felt very natural to him even if it didn't to her. "You deserve someone to be good to you Miss." He told her honestly. "I don't.. need a reward for being nice to you."

If Alexis were a cheesy person, she would have given Finn bedroom eyes and declared 'the only thing I need is you' before rocking his world in every way. However, she was not, so she just nodded, smiling at his teasing nature, imagining Carole throwing Finn out on the street for the minor misdemeanor of Alexis not having enough blankets. "Don't worry, I'll speak on your behalf if she grills you for your hosting skills," Alexis promised him, leaning into his touch. "All good boys need a reward," She told him, in a tone that was clear that -- unless he genuinely wasn't up for it -- she wasn't taking no for an answer. "I want to make you feel good like you make me feel good, Sweet Pea. Will you let me?" She asked him, brushing the stray hair out of his face, one hand laying just right on his chest, waiting for his permission, wanting him to feel safe.

“Thanks for that Miss, I really appreciate it.” Finn said honestly, his face caught in a cheerful smile. He didn’t know why but it made his heart clench in a weird way, when she mentioned his family, when it felt like she was part of his world. His cheeks flushed when she said that good boys deserved rewards, the words good boy had such a different effect when she said them compared to other Dommes in the past. He nodded dumbly. “Thank you.” He said without thinking because he was so entranced by what she might do next. “I mean.. yeah.. um.. you can make me feel good if you want to Miss. I would like that, yeah, I’d like that a lot.”

Her trademark smirk painted her face when she saw him blush, stumbling over his words like the first time they scened together. But she was glad for it, really, because she took his starstruck enthusiasm as a cue he'd answer positively, and he did, though he once again framed it as her decision. Another part of Alexis was grateful for this; she never did this sort of thing normally, blanking out the reason why she was choosing to do this now, and she liked to feel in control. "I would like to make you feel good," She affirmed, shifting so she was straddling him. "All you need to do, Sweet Pea," She began to unbutton his plaid pyjama shirt, slowly revealing his toned chest, "Is relax." Once the shirt was open, she shrugged it off him to the best of her ability, leaning down to press kisses on his neck, and his collarbone, gentle nibbles here and there if she pleased, taking in each reaction to see if he enjoyed it, wanting him to feel nothing but bliss right now.

He was very glad that she wasn't put off by his stammering, he didn't think the way he was acting was all that sexy but then he guessed he didn't really know what Doms were into. Finn had no idea how he was supposed to bloody relax when she was straddling him, he gulped a little his eyes moving backwards and forth between her face, her hands and her boobs. He let out a little groan as she began to unbutton his shirt, his heart was pounding in his chest and he almost wondered if she could hear it. "Okay Miss.." He nodded his words coming out thickly, as she started to kiss his neck. His breath coming much faster than usual, and his cock already twitching in his pyjamas.

The way he moved, and breathed, gave away he wasn't relaxed at all, but rather his body being on high alert for every movement and touch, the kisses travelling further down his body, shifting herself as she went lower, and lower. "Relax," She murmured against his torso, hand stretching up to stroke his chest, hoping to soothe him somewhat. She took her time, kissing along each line of his ribcage, lips hovering slightly over where she could feel his pounding heart, dipping down to below his navel, finally reaching the toned V he boasted, peeking out from beyond the elastic of his pyjama pants. Alexis had shifted herself so she was under he knees at this point, shoving the covers away from them for more access, no longer worried about the cold November night. She had leaned over, palming his cock over the thin fabric of the plaid. "Do you want me to touch you, Sweet Pea?" She murmured in a breathy voice, right in his ear, "Want my pretty little mouth wrapped around your big cock?" Truthfully, Alexis was doing this to psyche herself up, because she wanted to please him, but only if she felt like she could do the action justice.

He watched her through heavy eyelids as she moved lower and lower down his body, every vein in his body starting to buzz with anticipation even though she was instructing him to relax. The desire to obey her was stronger than the live wire inside of him though and he took a long breath. Her hands on his skin were always something that he sought out, he loved the softness of her palms and slim fingers with sharp nails at the end. As her hand moved beyond the V to palm his cock he groaned softly, his hips bucking up to meet her a little. "Fuck Miss Alexis, please." He begged softly. "I'd love to feel your mouth around my cock, feel your tongue against me. I'd be so fucking lucky." He breathed. Finn had rarely ever asked for a blowjob from anyone he'd ever been with, partially since he got so much out of giving the girls that he was with pleasure, but also because he was shy about asking for what he wanted. With Alexis however he rarely had problems being vocal, it was like she lured the words from his mind sometimes.

He was already so desperate, and the sound was delicious to Alexis. She smirked as he begged, and after, placing sloppy kisses down the side of his face, moved herself back down, slowly pulling down his pants, cock springing out. She gave it a few slow strokes, gauging his reaction, taking a breath for herself, before she ducked her head, her tongue licking down the underside of his length, swirling at his head, her hands gently playing with his balls. She felt herself get braver with it, taking his cock in her mouth, slowly bobbing her head to take the entire length, wincing slightly when it reached the back of her throat, doing her best not to gag, before continuing to bob her head, hands massaging the base.

He really liked the feel of her lips on his face, closing his eyes momentarily as he enjoyed this little touch of intimacy. A groan left his lips as she freed his cock, and she began to stroke it hardening under her touch. Followed by a louder more guttural moan as she licked the underside of his cock, his hands tangling into the sheets as she took him into her mouth. "Shit.. shit.. your mouth feels so good on my cock Miss.." Finn managed to choke out, as he did his best to stay somewhat still for her. Without bragging he knew that he was big, and he didn't want to overwhelm her when she was doing something so good for him.

She was grateful he was doing his best to stay still, to not buck his hips or grab her hair, to let her go at her own pace. She upped the speed of her head bobbing, egged on by his encouraging words and groans of pleasure. As Alexis got more comfortable with it, she reached up to grab his hand, pulling off his cock with a dirty pop. "Don't be afraid to be a little rough with me, Sweet Pea." She encouraged with a wicked smile, before diving back in, not gagging as much this time now she was used to the size of him in her mouth, looking up at him through her eyelashes, pupils blown in lust.

Finn was a mess of pants, and groans as she continued to bob her head his stomach already starting to form a coil. He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had done this for him, and the fact that it was her of all people doing it was a little astounding to him. He let out a little shuddering breath as she grabbed his hand. Letting himself buck back a little into his touch, one hand coming up to tangle in her hair as she moved. “Jesus.. I don’t know how you expect me to last when you’re looking at me like that Miss. fuck..”

When Alexis was in charge, this was actually fun. That something as simple as this could make Finn a mess of pants and moans, that he could come undone with only her mouth and a few well placed fingers. She let out a laugh around his cock at his words, hopefully sending vibrations around his length, glancing up at him with a daring, mischievous glint in her eye, making it clear she wasn’t expecting him to last that much longer at all. When he finally got the hint, his fingers tangled in her hair, she let out a genuine, needy moan around him, moving up and down his slick cock as fast as she could, determined to get him over the edge as quickly as she could.

He groaned as she laughed around his length, the hum of vibration sending a jolt of pleasure through his body. For some reason he rarely felt any of his usual kind of sexual awkwardness when he was with her. Probably because she didn’t pass comment on every little twitch of his body. Her moaning while she was blowing him made him buck his hips and then all too quickly he was finishing in her mouth. Letting out a low groan of. “Miss Alexis-fuck.” He lay there panting for a moment before he suddenly felt very guilty that he hadn’t warned her. “I’m so sorry Miss.. I should have said something.” Finn apologised, his cheeks flushing a deep shade of red.

Him finishing quickly took Alexis by surprise, but she managed to relax her throat and flatten her tongue in time. She was reminded of Calvin for a moment, holding her down and telling her good girls always swallowed, that it was always expected of her. Of course, Alexis knew Finn wasn't Calvin at all, but she still managed to swallow him down, wincing as she did so. She looked up, smiling softly at his deep-red face and earnest apology. "It's okay," She murmured, voice a bit raspy, moving back up the bed, going for the glass of water on the nightstand first to take a gulp, turning back to Finn, stroking his hair. "Did you enjoy your reward, Sweet Pea?" Truthfully she was nervous about her performance, as it was something she didn't often do, and for some reason she felt like sharing that with him. "It's, uh, it's been a while since I've done that."

He watched her nervously shifting up on the pillows as she reached for the water, he couldn't believe that he'd cum so early and without warning. Finn could feel his face getting redder by the second. "Yes Miss very much, thank you.." He responded, leaning to give her a kiss on the cheek. "I feel honoured that you wanted to do it.. you know with me." The switch responded. "Can I do anything for you?" He asked not entirely focused on something sexual, but not taking it off the table either.

Alexis felt herself relax when he thanked her again, giving her a kiss on the cheek. Finn probably didn't know this about himself, but he was a very bad liar, so she could tell he was being truthful. At his question, she shook her head. A part of her really did want him in between her legs so she could cum and be able to sleep, but she truthfully wasn't in the mood. "No, just being like this is good enough," She told him sincerely, "Uh, I just...I think I need to talk something out, if that's okay?" She asked, feeling suddenly scared and insecure again. Alexis had only ever talked about Calvin to Fauna and her therapist, but she knew she'd feel better discussing it with Finn too.

He nodded never wanting to push himself on her, he just hoped he hadn’t like killed her mood by cumming so early. “You talk about whatever you like Miss?” He told her honestly, reaching out to stroke a hand over her hair. “You know I think you’re amazing, so you could tell me you were like a lizard alien and I’d be like.. that’s so cool Miss Alexis.” He promised hoping that what he said didn’t sound too weird and that she did say whatever it was that she wanted to tell him.

She was taken aback slightly by the alien lizard comment, but let herself laugh nonetheless. Her heart panged at how he told her she thought she was amazing, but she pushed down all feelings for now, not wanting to dwell on that. "Thanks," She said in a murmur, brushing back her hair, trying to think of the words. "Um, so...like I said, I don't, really do that, this often. As you might have noticed. I kinda --," She stopped, not sure how the best way to phrase it was, "My first experience, my first time, wasn't this great rom-com, and blowjobs were ruined for me. But I just...I wanted to try it out, so, thank you." Alexis wasn't as confident as she usually was, addressing Finn's hands, seemingly much larger in the moment in comparison to hers that clasped around him. But it felt good to talk about this at least.

He was so very glad that she laughed, always a little paranoid that he came off really weird when he was trying to make her feel comfortable. He waited quietly for her to go on, not wanting to fill the silence because he could tell that she was thinking and that this was difficult for her. Finns face pulled into a frown when she explained that her first time hadn’t been good, and that blow jobs had been ruined. A part of him again twisting with guilt that he had made this experience less than perfect too. “Im so sorry..” He started. “That your first experience was anything less than like.. wonderful. And I’m honoured that you wanted to try with me. You never have to do anything that doesn’t make you feel good.. and nobody should ever have made you feel anything less than great when you were doing things before.”

Alexis tried her best to avert his gaze. There was a extremely small handful of people she had told, about her year with Calvin, and she knew that even if they weren't aware that they were doing it, there was pity in their eyes. The only person who had a look of mutual understanding was with Fauna, but that had been more heartbreaking to Alexis than reassuring. She shook her head at his apology, though couldn't say anything more. "I know, thank you," She finally said, feeling her hands shake a bit as she kept tightly holding his hands, "I just...I wanted to share. Some people I've been with, they never quite...got why I didn't want to do it, or didn't want to explain why," She said, frowning as she thought of some of her hookups back at the old school, how none of them wanted to understand boundaries, "but you've been lovely and patient with me. I wanted to reward you, I think I just...got into my own head and, I wanted to share." She knew she didn't owe him an explanation, but there was a difference between feeling like you owed one, and giving one freely. "Please stay in the bed with me tonight?" She then asked, softly, knowing it was in Finn's nature to want to back off and give her some space, but she really didn't want him back on the floor.

He worried that he hadn’t said the right thing, but at the same time he had no idea what else to say. Finn wondered for a moment if he should tell her about his own awkward first time with a blow job. When he’d lost his virginity. But internally he dismissed the idea, she didn’t want him just sharing bad blow job stories with her. She was upset. When she squeezed his hand a little tighter he rubbed his big thumb over the back of her palm. “You can tell me anything you like Miss.” He confirmed again. “I never mind listening to you.” It’s something he always wanted to confirm to her, he never wanted to be one of those guys who didn’t listen to their partner. Who bitched about their girlfriends sharing things in the showers. Sawyer always said those were the very worst kind of people and Finn agreed. “Of course I’ll stay Miss.” He agreed, taking one of his hands and brushing her hair off her face. “Why don’t I tickle your back for you?” He suggested remembering what she’d asked him when she’d been upset before and hoping he didn’t embarrass her at all.

A part of Alexis didn't trust it, that she could tell Finn anything she'd like. Whether he'd find some stories to be worth a hefty paycheck from some sleazy tabloid (though her more logical way of thinking knew he was too much of an honourable person to do such a thing) or perhaps, she'd scare him off. He didn't need Alexis and her expensive, designer baggage she had to bear, and yet he was so earnest, so gentle, she could pretend for a moment. Whilst they sat in his bed, surrounded by his little cowboys and movie posters and football trophies. Whilst the shirt he had carelessly through off a couple of nights ago as she Dommed him still hung haphazardly on the symbol of his drum kit, tucked in the corner. Whilst he was holding her hand, and she was enveloped in the safety of his being. She smiled softly at Finn's suggestion, relieved, in a strange way, that he remembered how to comfort her. "I'd really like that." She told him, leaning up to press a kiss against his cheek, before shifting comfortably in position, ready to be comforted.

Finn liked the feeling of just getting to be close to her, sex was always great, and he loved being dommed by her. But there was something special to him about when they were lying together and he was just holding her. He’d never really had intimacy like that with any of his previous girlfriends, probably because Stassie was worried it would make her look weak and every other girl had been gone before they could establish a anything deeper. So Finn reached out and softly tickled her back, his fingers running over her smooth skin pulling her body a little closer into him and dropping a kiss against the nape of her neck.

#(( hanging out with alexis ))

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cherrykadeu · 4 years

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@zuihuojoui

Saturday 18 July 2020;

Heart Territory, High Ranker Residental Territory

The mirror shone with her reflection as she combed her dark hair, a thin robe did a terrible job of covering the curves of the gumiho's body, however she barely moved when the door to that room suddenly opened. She sighed, it was rare for her to have any privacy except when she was with a client, it annoyed her, but she never opened her mouth to complain. "Get dressed, someone requested you" the older woman spoke loudly without worrying about any kinds of formalities, the authoritative tone doing nothing to rush the other gumiho, the only thing she did was stop her movements, but made no effort to get up. "Quickly" the sound of clapping made Nari look at her superior, hand leaning against her cheek, the words coming out in an annoyed way. “I can dress myself you know, you can get out” the conversation was more like that of a teenage daughter complaining to her mother, especially when the older gumiho smiled at the other before leaving that space, finally leaving her alone. In that time of the day different species had already started to enter that establishment while Cherry left. Her fingers intertwined in her hair, placing a few strands behind her ears. She bit her lip nervously as she looked up and down the street waiting for any indicator that might inform her of who had asked her company for the whole night, they did not give her any information whatsoever, this strange event being enough to forget the man who had visited her the night before and the fact that he had left a note saying that he would find her here tonight. People walked away, leaning against the corners of the street and staring in amazement at the grand carriage that passed in the center of it, the lanterns attached to it glowed against its golden details that stood out against the white paint. Two white horses lead it and two extremely well-dressed men guided the horses in the right direction. When they gave the order for the horses to stop in front of Nari she was looking at her shoes carelessly, lost in her own daydreams, not noticing all the commotion that that carriage had caused. Two equally well-presented men emerged from the carriage, one of whom remained at the door, keeping it open, while the other approached the gumiho and held out a hand silently. When a pair of shiny shoes came into view, Cherry looked up, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion as she watched the man in front of her. However, her attention quickly turned to the heavily ornamented carriage, her confused gaze alternating between the open door and the man in front of her. The words escaped her in an awkward way "Is this for me?" she pointed to the carriage and then to her own chest. Never had anything so beautiful crossed these streets, and especially not for her. No answer was given and she ended up simply accepting the hand of the gentleman in front of her who then guided her into the velvety and comfortable interior of the carriage. This was better than her own bed. She let herself close her eyes for a moment, the palms of her hands passing over the soft seats, a color that matched the red of the seats took over her cheeks when she - quite embarrassingly - purred at the sensation. The gumiho's eyes widened, she had practically melted against the seats while the other two guards remained in a totally static posture, their bodies barely moved even with the various bumps that the carriage suffered due to the poorly paved street. Her hands found the edge of her short dress pulling it towards her knees as she straightened up and adopted a better posture, she cleared her throat trying to look and sound a lot more professional than she really was. "Where are you taking me?" it wasn't rude the way she said it, she was just curious, yet she quickly realized that no one was going to give her the answers she wanted. She looked at the two guards sitting across from her, neither of them was looking at her. "Fine" she crossed her arms, looking out of the small window of the carriage, she saw people standing in the street looking at the carriage passing by, she saw the big houses she dreamed of one day being able to live and in the blink of an eye the carriage stopped for the second time that night. Both guards moved to get out first, palms up as they helped her out of the carriage.

Outside, two women were waiting for her, both quite beautifully dressed, Nari didn't even need to touch the fabric to realize that it would be something expensive, their hair too was perfectly done. This caused Cherry to run one of her hands through hers, suddenly with worried about her appearance. "If you would please accompany us, Madame" her lips parted, her only reaction being to look back at the carriage as the two women gently linked their arms in hers and started walking into that huge building who looked more like a palace. Was this a joke? The gate opened, the huge symbol made of metal breaking in half as the two halves of the gate parted, she could have sworn that symbol was familiar to her, but in her state of shock her brain seemed to have forgotten even how her legs worked, thankfully she was being guided by two women. No less refined than all the other things, the bathhouse was equally ornamented, although in a much more subtle way, the low light mixed with the pleasant floral aromas of that space formed a much more relaxing atmosphere, for the first time, she stopped thinking about the true nature of this request and decided to enjoy a luxury that would probably not occur again in her life. The soft hands of the two women began to undress her in a gentle way, it was obvious that they were not in a hurry and Nari offered no resistance as soon as they started to touch her. As soon as she was completely naked, her body was submerged in the hot water, she closed her eyes and a sigh left her lips, any tension that could have accumulated during the trip disappearing completely as soon as the two women started washing her body in a very careful way. This was too weird, Nari thought, as both women prepared another bath filled with different types of flowers, but at least she should enjoy it, she didn't know how long this would continue. After that long bath, they dressed her in a white silk robe, she could smell the delicious aroma that had stuck to her skin, she had been so lucky to have been chosen for this.

The pair opened a room, and the gumiho at this point had completely given up on hiding her look of splendor, they sat her on a small but comfortable chair, while one took care of her hair, the other started taking care of her makeup. As the two women circled her, she noticed again the gold necklace they both wore, it was the same symbol she had seen at the gates. "What does that mean?" again no answer, she should be used to it by now, but even so her curiosity was much greater than the fear of being ignored. They dressed her in a beautiful wine-colored sleeveless dress, with golden details near the slit of her thigh, her black hair falling over her bare shoulders, her heels - probably the most comfortable the girl had ever worn, although perhaps also the highest - elongated her legs, the jewels that had been placed on her sparkled against her skin and her makeup was totally perfect, highlighting all her best features. Both seemed satisfied with their work and although Nari could only see how she looked from the glances she stole from the small surfaces that could reflect her figure in the corridors, she could tell she looked breathtaking and better than that, she felt better than ever.

One of them knocked on the huge door at the end of the corridor, then opened it carefully, but only enough to put her head inside, she murmured something but Cherry couldn't figure out what, the only thing she saw was the doors being pushed afterwards by the two women before she entered that space. All her senses quickly became alert, she didn't know what to do, she was standing still in middle of it all, a gasp escaping her lips as she looked at the ceiling and the walls, the fabric that made the ceiling formed several waves making that space much more welcoming, feeling more cozy despite being huge. Her head turned from side to side trying to understand where the sweet melody that filled the living room came from. Her heart skipped a beat, as soon as her gaze landed on the man lying, propped on his elbow, on a mountain of pillows, long dark hair fell over his shoulders, he seemed relaxed as he hummed along with that song that was unknown to Nari but that seemed so familiar to him, she locked eyes with him, she could have sworn that she had seen his eyes shine a golden color. Despite having had several meetings with several people for the same reason, none had ever been like this, no encounter had even came close to all of this. And certainly nobody looked like him. The door closed with a loud sound, startling her and making her lose her eye contact, it brought her back to reality, she felt her face warm with his attentive gaze on her, she laughed sweetly. She could do this. "Asked for me?"

#joui1;#!!!!!!!!!#screams

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sebthesnipe · 4 years

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How To Hold Your Dragon

February Prompts 2/26

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Prompt: Crest / Collect

Ship: Prinxiety and Logicality

Original story based on this wonderful post by @underdog-arts

Roman shifted in his sleep, curling protectively closer around the swaddled bundle in his arms. He had moved from the spot against the tree, where he had been dozing at some point during the night, careful not to jostle Virgil too much.

Patton chewed his bottom lip absently as he stared at the two, concern furrowing his brow. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he had messed this whole thing up with his overprotective nature. He shouldn’t have come on so strong when he and Logan had rushed to the men’s aid. He was just so worried at the time.

Roman gave a small shiver, tightening his hold around the raccoon, and drawing it closer against his chest for warmth. Patton gave a squeak at the sight. It was just so adorable! He shifted to dig into the pack next to him, producing a blanket before pushing to his feet.

It was obvious that the dragon meant to cover the two, protecting them from the cool night air but he hesitated. The memory of Roman recoiling from his touch flashed across the forefront of his mind, causing him pause. Did Roman recoil out of fear? Was it just the stress of the moment? Or perhaps, it was disgust. From what Logan had told the smaller man, Roman had the grand notion that dragons were barbaric monsters meant to be slain by knights and heroes. It was no wonder he drew back at Patton’s touch.

“Um… Logan?” the man’s small voice came as he clutched the blanket to his chest, beginning to shake slightly as he glanced down at the witch who was currently taking stock of their provisions.

“Yes, Patton?” Logan replied, too distracted to glance up at the moment.

Patton hesitated, feeling silly about his next request. “Roman looks cold,” he commented.

Logan took a moment to set aside the rations he had been counting before glancing over at the prince briefly. He took in the sight of Patton hovering by the fire, blanket clutched against his chest. For a moment, the image of a small child clinging to a favored stuffed animal for courage came to mind, despite how ridiculous the notion was when compared to the god-like power the man before him possessed. Still, the look on the dragon’s face was disconcerting.

“Perhaps you should offer him the blanket?” Logan offered in confusion. Patton nodded, gaze still on the sleeping prince a few feet away. He didn’t move.

“Patton?” Logan asked softly, studying the way he toyed nervously with the corner of the fabric and how his bottom lip was slightly swollen from the worry of his teeth. “Is everything alright?”

“I just…” the dragon began but paused, unsure of what to say. It was foolish, he knew, but he was scared. What if Roman never warmed up to him again? What if Patton never got to be apart of that bright smile that he always flashed when Patton made a horrible joke? What if he never got to feel one of the man’s overly flamboyant embraces? Roman gave the best hugs! “I just don’t think it would be a good idea if I did it,” he admitted finally turning his attention to the tall witch.

Logan’s confusion only grew at the admission, trying to piece together what could possibly make providing a blanket to someone in need of one a bad idea. Perhaps it was one of those odd social etiquette rulings that he never quite understood. Typically, right about now, Virgil would be chiming in with a sarcastic comment or sassy remark to provide him with some context on the matter. However, given his companion’s state of unconsciousness, it appeared he was on his own for now.

“Isn’t that why you retrieved the bedding to begin with?” Logan asked curiously. The question had Patton’s brows furrowing further, making it appear as if he were about to cry. “Or perhaps the blanket is not the problem!” Logan rushed. He did not handle others crying well. Comfort was most certainly not a strong suit of his.

“C-could…” Patton stuttered, voice cracking softly as he hugged the folded material against his chest. “Could you maybe…” he continued, giving the witch a pleading look as he trailed off.

“Could I take the blanket to him?” Logan clarified, earning another small dip of Patton’s head in affirmation. “Certainly.”

Tension drained from Patton’s shoulders as Logan moved to stand.

The witch offered an outstretched hand to collect the blanket. Patton paused, unsure for only a brief moment before handing it over, wrapping his now empty hands around himself for warmth.

Logan offered what he hoped was a reassuring smile before turning towards the sleeping prince. Patton’s gaze followed the shirtless pagan as he turned his back to the dragon. The wounds were still visible in the moon’s pale light, making discolored patches appeared darker than they had in daylight. The sight was just as disturbing as when Patton had spotted it through the witch’s glamour when they had first met.

Logan unfurled the blanket in one efficient movement before draping it over Roman’s sleeping form, making sure to cover Virgil as well. He knelt to check up on the fur covered beast wrapped in Roman’s cloak.

Logan hid his pain well, but Patton could see through the composed exterior. Each of Logan’s movements were no doubt agonizing. The fact that he managed to hide it so well was impressive. For a human, death would probably be preferable to the torture of a simple breath. So, why then was Logan so determined to survive? What drove him? That was the whole point of the venture wasn’t it; to discover a way for him and Virgil to live without the tie to their master?

Was it revenge? No, Logan didn’t seem the type to be driven by such a dark emotion. Perhaps it was out of spite? No, again that wasn’t very fitting of the man. He certainly was an enigma. There wasn’t much that Patton came across anymore that caused him such confusion. Logan, however, was a puzzle he was looking forward to solving.

The witch straightened once more, the moonlight brushing against the crest of his dark hair, catching on his mismatched eyes. He was very attractive to be sure. It had been quite a long time since Patton had seen anything that could compare. The fact that anyone would wound such a beautiful being in such a way was an atrocity.

“Are you alright, Patton?” Logan asked softly, stopping just short of the smaller individual.

“Hm?” Patton hummed, glancing up from where he had begun to stare off, losing himself in his thoughts. “Oh. Yes! I’m fine! I’m great!” the dragon rushed, perhaps a bit too cherrily.

Logan’s lips pursed into a thin frown at the answer, pausing to consider his response. “Patton, I understand that you are a magnificent creature that I couldn’t even begin to comprehend,” he replied softly, making the shape-shifter glance away with a flush, “but from what I have observed you have the same complex and intense emotions as we humans. Perhaps, even more so. Yet, it appears that you hide them with an overly pleasant exterior."

Patton's frown returned at the accusation, though he took no offense. The fact that Patton was so transparent was just a bit surprising to the man.

"I cannot pretend that I have proficient knowledge or experience with emotions, but I can assume that keeping those feeling bottled up cannot be healthy. It is okay to feel things that are not pleasant. Virgil once informed me, and forgive me for the terminology, ‘Feeling like…" Logan hesitated, uncomfortable with the idea of cursing in front of the smaller man. Despite the knowledge that Patton was an ancient being capable of phenomenal cosmic magic, he always seemed so innocent to the witch. "’S-shit’," he stuttered, gauging the dragon's reaction curiously. Patton offered a small upturn of his lips in amusement, spurring Logan to continue, "Feeling like shit can be good because it makes the good feelings better than they were before,’” that earned a small huff of laughter from the small man. “While the phrasing is a bit unpolished, I believe he had a point.”

Patton rubbed his upper arm absently as the man spoke. Logan was intelligent beyond his years, that much was clear. For someone that claimed to be ignorant of a lot of things, Logan understood Patton more than he had expected. The fact that the witch was not only brave enough to point out his disillusion, but was obviously trying to comfort him about it was endearing.

Logan took Patton’s silence as an indication of the witch’s overstep and tensed. “Of course, it is completely likely that I am mistaken. I cannot pretend to know-”

“Logan,” Patton chuckled, finally meeting his gaze with a soft smile, “It’s fine, kiddo. You’re not mistaken,” he reassured.

Logan relaxed slightly at the reassurance, offering his own smile in return. “Would you like to talk about it?”

“I dunno,” the dragon shrugged, ducking his head in embarrassment. “It’s kind of a lot and I don’t like icky feelings. I prefer the happy fun ones that make everyone smile,” he added, forcing a grin as he bounced on his heels for emphasis, “I just… don’t know if I can provide those right now,” he sighed.

“Well,” Logan offered, “perhaps, since it is just you and me at the moment, you can allow yourself to properly manage those ‘icky’ feelings?” he offered, with an arched brow.

Patton’s softed smile returned as he peered up at the taller man. “Yeah… I guess that wouldn’t be so bad.”

“Good,” Logan huffed mirroring the soft expression as he lifted his arms. “Perhaps, an embrace might be preferable?” he offered, unsure if this was the appropriate course of action.

However, the suggestion had Patton instantly beaming. Logan had never offered him a hug before! In fact, He had never seen the man offer anyone a hug before! Only Roman had ever allowed Patton to hug him!

The dragon preened, feet dancing as he bounced from one to another in his excitement, hands lifting to his mouth, digits tapping against the giant grin that split his face. A screech escaping him, high pitched enough that Logan was certain only dogs could hear.

If that wasn’t affirmation enough, the dragon proceeded to launch himself into the witch’s embrace, arms tucked in close against his chest, far too conscious of the man’s wounds to return the embrace himself.

Logan grunted at the impact, giving a low chuckle that rumbled through his chest as his limbs locked around the small form. Patton instantly melted, his own heat seeping into Logan’s cool skin pleasant as they stood next to the fire. Despite Patton’s immeasurable power, he somehow felt safe in the witch’s hold, as though even his own nightmares couldn’t touch him there.

Patton had been so inequivalently wrong; Logan definitely gave the best hugs (but Roman was a close second).

To be continued...

Taglist:

@hiddendreamer67 @nightashes @aequinoctiale @sumersnowlilly

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not-safeforsanders · 5 years

Text

Warnings: minor d/s undertones, sub-space,

Ship: Logicality

Plot: Logan knows two things currently: He’s in desperate craving of some sort of physical contact and two, he cannot concentrate until someone takes care of him.

Logan feels restless, for lack of a better term, as he stares long and hard at the paperwork that he’s re-read four times in the past ten minutes. But nothing is sticking to his brain. He runs a hand over his face and wraps his arms around his body as if trying to make up for the physical contact that he ha been denying for so long, too long. He swallows dryly and stares at his door.

Some time ago, Patton had told him that when people go too long without affection (platonic, romantic or otherwise), they start to feel a little “sad,” because Humans are social animals and rely on physical comfort or social interaction, of which Logan has none. He’d also told him that if Logan ever really needed a hug to come to him.

At the time, he’d rolled his eyes because he never needs things like that. But apparently, Logan does need a hug today.

He traipses his way to Patton’s room, knocking timidly as he waits. The owner of the room opens the door with a bright smile, brown curls mussed and falling into his big brown eyes. “Hey Lo! What’s...up?” The smile falls as he notices how small Logan looks, eyes on the floor, shoulders slumped and rubbing his arms like he was freezing cold. “Today’s the day huh?” He opens the door wider and lets Logan in before opening his arms open.

“Today is the day, I’m afraid,” The logical facet sinks into the other's arms, his forehead resting against Patton’s shoulder. His body suddenly feels so warm, the hairs on the back of his neck standing up. He shivers and Patton smiles.

“No need to be afraid,” Patton mutters, rubbing his hands against Logan’s back. The elder smells really nice, like happy memories and nostalgia. Logan thinks he himself probably smells like books. “Come on, kick off your shoes, let's lie down, you can stay here tonight, you look like you need someone to look after you tonight,” With a jolt, Logan realizes he rather does feel like he needs someone to look after him.

So he kicks off his shoes and unknots his tie, placing them both on the floor, his fingers unbutton the first three buttons of his shirt, whilst his hair falls tiredly into his eyes. Quietly, like he can’t quite muster the energy to speak, he crawls into bed next to Patton, their legs easily intertwining. He rests his head on Patton’s chest and feels his body press against the other man’s, heartbeat thudding through his chest.

There’s quiet for a second, just comfort and calm before Logan’s head tilts back, studying Patton in the dark. The other had his eyes closed for a moment, but feeling the younger’s gaze, he opens them and blinks down at Logan. Something about the curious look given to him has Logan swallowing dryly. He feels so...small, absent like his brain is trying to tell him something but can’t quite muster the energy to be coherent.

Whatever it is, Patton seems to recognize the dazed expression and smiles softly “You really have never had any sort of physical affection have you, sweetheart?” A quiet sound tumbles over Logan’s lips, so quiet that it’s almost unheard, but Patton doesn’t seem to mind, chuckling in response “How are you feeling right now?”

“I...I...” His words get jumbled in his head, he doesn’t want to talk, he just wants to touch. That’s new and strange, and why isn’t his voice working the way he needs too right now? “I don’t know,” Patton nods, his hand cupping Logan’s jaw gently in a featherlight touch that feels so full of comfort. “I don’t know,” He repeats. “My words aren’t...good...feel tired but not physically,”

“It’s alright, love, it’s normal for people in your situation, your big brain is just trying to catch up that’s all,” And Logan believes him entirely, right now Patton could tell him anything and he’d believe. His touch is so warm. His eyes are so...kind. “I’ll look after you, okay? But if I do something wrong, tell me to stop and I will,” Logan nods, tilting his head up a little more like he’s asking a question that he himself does not know.

Patton seems too though, as he laughs lightly before leaning down and capturing Logan’s lips in his own. The logical facet inhales sharply and takes a moment to realize what’s happening; his heart hammers suddenly in his chest and a quiet sound escapes the back of his throat before his body is pressing desperately against Patton’s, hands bunching in the elder’s shirt. “Do you want me to touch you more?” the moral facet asks gently, pulling away just a little.

“Please,”

Patton’s hands run down Logan’s sides, each gentle touch earning a whine for more. His hands slide under the younger’s shirt, feeling him arch into the touch. Logan feels like his skin is on fire as little goosebumps form, warmth running through his nerves as his hips press automatically against Patton’s body. “Slow down baby,” Is the quiet murmur he’s rewarded with; all these little nicknames sending jolts of pleasure through him, not sexually, but emotionally. “Relax, I’ll take care of you,”

Patton sits up, his back against the headboard as he tugs Logan up a little “Lie with your back to my chest,” His tone is gentle but commanding, asking and telling at the same time. Logan scrambles to do as he’s told, lying between Patton’s legs as his back pressed against him. Patton’s deft fingers unbutton the other’s pants “Remember, tell me if you want to stop, okay sweetheart?”

“Y-Yes, I will,”

“Good boy,” That has his hips jerking slightly, arousal curling through his abdomen. The breathy laugh against his ear elicits a shiver, as does the kisses pressed to his neck following this. He watches, wide-eyed as Patton’s hand slides into his pants, stroking his cock through his boxers slowly and carefully. A soft moan rolls off his lips and he pushes his hips into the contact slowly in a way of asking for more. The elder’s free hand slides under Logan’s shirt, playing lazily with his nipple.

The sensory heaven that had currently presented itself to Logan was a new one; he’d never felt the need to do this before and now he’s wondering why not? This surely has to be the most wonderful sensation he’d ever experienced. And Patton’s touch feels so careful, so gentle like he’s handling something fragile.

Logan feels fragile. But in a good way, in an ‘i know Patton will look after me’ way.

The bare skin of a hand wraps around his length and strokes firmer, a little faster. Logan can feel heat coiling through him, feeling so warm and frantic and desperate as he shifts his hips to meet the contact faster. He’s not going to last long as the heat tumbles through his body and conjoins in his abdomen.

He whines out Patton’s name, gasping out as his thighs tremble with anticipation. His head rests back against Patton’s shoulder, neck bared almost submissively as he accepts the soft nibbles and kisses. His hips jerk again, this time involuntarily as he can feel the pressure building, “Pat,” He whimpers, eyes falling closed as his mind goes completely blank for a second, feeling only the warmth and Patton and all he can think is this pleasant lack of thought.

It’s so nice to not think. His brain is always working so often at a hundred miles an hour with all these things to do. The blankness feels so comforting. He hangs onto this for a second before an overwhelming feeling takes over, perhaps the most intense amount of pleasure he’d ever felt in his life.

He gasps and pants, his legs jerk slightly as his eyes screw shut so fast. His muscles contracting and his hands grasping firmly at the fabric of Patton’s trousers. Heat poured straight through all the nerves in the lower half of his body and he climaxed, whimpering as the other stroked him through it, his pace slowing as the other stops languidly shifting his hips. Patton presses soft kisses to his skin “How are you feeling?”

“Wonderful,” Logan replies, feeling suddenly very cold and very tired. “But cold,” Patton chuckles and nods, grabbing some tissue to clean off his hand before lifting him up and pulling the blankets around them. “Thank you,”

“No problem love,”

#logicality #not safe for sanders

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twocupsofsuga · 5 years

Text

His Treasure || Part 11

Pirate!Baekhyun x Reader - Series

Summary: It’s either on your knees and beg for your life or you’re walking the plank.

Absolutely NO plagiarizing my work.

Moodboard by @byunfirstlady

Previous | Next

You blushed as you looked at yourself through the mirror.

The castle maids had long since given you a light dress for you to wear and since then, you couldn't help but admire yourself.

The soft white dress that hugged you slightly, showing off your curves made you feel very pretty. You had a peach colored shawl wrapped around your shoulders to protect you from the gentle breeze outside.

You looked down at the white flats you were given to wear, and remembered the hassle from earlier when the maids tried to make you wear heels, an offer you had to refuse because you were sure your feet would be dead by then. Prince Jaebum might make you walk a lot, or maybe he won't, even though you were unsure, you would still go out prepared.

You froze once you thought of said Prince.

Jaebum was, certainly something. From the short time you had been with him, you could tell that he was well mannered and carried himself with pride. He was gentle and kind without a doubt, and he certainly was a gentleman and seemed to take very good care of you and treat you right.

Now if only a certain someone could be like that, you would be very grateful. The small smile that had been unconsciously forming on your lips immediately dropped once you thought about this very 'special' someone.

You began walking in paces around your room as you continued to curse in your head.

'Fucking Byun Beakhyun.' You sourly thought. 'Thought that he could hold me captive forever eh!? Thought he was all hot shot and some high captain, ha! Don't make me laugh! Ohhhh how I'd like to have seen his face when he noticed I was gone, then I could’ve finally be the one on the high end and mock HIM instead of it always being the other way around! I swear the next time I see him I'm gonna bash that handsome face of his-'

"Uhhh, am I interrupting anything?"

You let out a Yelp and jumped, your eyes widening as you turned around to see Seulgi looking at you from the doorway in confusion.

Her eyebrows furrowed. "It looked like you were intensely in your own world." You let out the breath you were holding and nervously smiled. "Ya sorry, I kinda was."

Seulgi simply nodded and began to walk away. "Come along now, His Highness is waiting for you outside with a carriage."

"Oh yes, of course..."

Lifting up your dress so you don't trip over the ends of the fabric, you quickly ran up to walk alongside Seulgi.

After a moment of silence, she spoke up.

"So, who's the lucky guy invading your thoughts?"

If you were drinking something, you were sure you would've spat everything out. The question came to you as a shock and you looked at Seulgi in shock and bewilderment as if she grew two heads.

Seulgi's eyebrows furrowed. "What?" She asked, as if what she just said was no big deal.

You looked at her with wide eyes. "W-what do you mean? Who's the lucky guy?"

Seulgi shrugged as the two of you made your way down a flight of swirly stairs. "Well usually when someone has that kind of intense face -kinda like the one I saw you have when I walked into your room- it usually always means that your thinking hard about someone you like."

"HA?!" You spluttered. "Trust me, the guy that I was thinking about when you caught me if someone whom I definitely NOT have a romantic interest in. I mean please, just by thinking about him makes me want to throw up."

Seulgi simply made a 'hmm' noise. "You know, people usually always say that in the beginning, but that's usually before they find out that the one they actually hate, is the one the end up loving for life."

You stopped walking. "What are you talking about Seulgi?" You said, not understanding just WHAT it was she was trying to tell you.

Seulgi looked back at you and smiled. "What I'm trying to say is this my dear, if the person whom you were thinking about is not as important as you claim they were to you, then they wouldn't be in your mind in the first place."

She stopped walking as well and it was then did you realized that the two of you had already reached the front garden of the castle where Prince Jaebum was patiently waiting for you in front of a carriage.

"Oh and by the way."

Your eyes left Jaebum's figure as you turned to look back at Seulgi who was now beginning to walk back into the castle. She sent a sneaky smile up your way, as if she knew something you didn't.

"If the mystery man wasn't such a big deal, then I wouldn't have caught you blushing to yourself now would I?"

'What?'

"Well, Jaebum is headed this way. We'll talk more later my dear!"

"Seulgi wait-!"

"(Y/n)?"

Your head snapped to look at Jaebum who sent a smile up your way as he lifted his hand for you to grasp.

"Ready to go?"

You quickly gathered yourself and smiled back at him, a smile that you had to force and you hoped he didn't notice your mood change.

"Y-yes your Highness. Lead the way."

Jaebum beamed and nodded, grabbing your hand and the pulling you gently towards the carriage.

Your mind was a mess. What did Seulgi mean by blush? There was no way you were blushing when you were thinking about Baekhyun. All you said to yourself was that you so badly wanted to punch his-

Gasping, you realized why you might've blushed.

You had unknowingly called Baekhyun's face handsome of all things.

"And that place over there, just directly in front of us, is the Town Square."

You gazed out the window in wonder and looked at the view in front of you, admiring everything Jaebum showed you on your small tour around his village. You had passed by many lakes, shops and buildings, and you became drawn into everything your eyes landed upon. It was different in some ways from your own village on your own island, so it made you curious to how this place was.

Pulling back the sadness that was creeping its way up, you decided to stop being so depressed all the time.

You pulled a small smile on your lips and looked at the prince seated next to you. “You have a very lovely kingdom your highness. It seems pleasant here.”

Jaebum shot you a warm smile. “Thank you my lady. This kingdom was my father’s, now mine since his passing four years ago. He worked hard for this place you see. I hope I can work hard on this place and fix what he failed to do before while he still had the crown. I’ll make sure I snag in a good name in for myself too, hehe.” He said, finishing off with a small chuckle.

Your smile sunk down a little. ‘What’s he talking about? Fixing what now?’ you decided to leave what Jaebum said aside, thinking you probably misunderstood what he said.

“Would you like to stop for something extra somewhere?”

“Hmm?”

You looked at Jaebum in confusion. “You mean, eat outside of the castle?”

Jaebum nodded in agreement. “If you don’t mind that is. I'm sure after being confined in the castle since your arrival has made you feel a little trapped, yes? We have some of the highest quality food here in our best restaurants, another part of the tour I thought you’d be interested in. I thought you’d perhaps be interested in a change of scenery? Unless if you’re already full from dinner before, we can skip this idea.”

Your eyes widened and you felt your heart skip a beat. Jaebum was honestly a gentleman, the most kindest and thoughtful of a young man you have yet to meet so far.

‘If only a certain pirate was like him.’

You pinched your hand slightly with your other hand, and you hoped the prince didn’t notice.

Why were you still thinking about that maniac?

Looking back at Jaebum, you tried to pull off another smile that you hoped looked believable. “That would be lovely your highness, thank you.”

Nodding, he sent you a dashing smile in return as he reached out to grab your hand gently and lifted it up towards his lips to place a small kiss on the back of your hand.

A blush immediately appeared on your cheeks and you gasped softly, eyes unblinking as you stared at Jaebum in shock as he brought your hand away from your face and watched you with careful eyes.

His lips pulled up slightly to reveal a smirk, probably showing how proud he was over how flustered you immediately became over a small action.

“To one of our best restaurants it is then.”

Being inside the warm, cozy restaurant with low, warm colors was a nice change from the gentle winds outside along with the lit buildings underneath the night sky. Once you and Jaebum entered, you were greeted with the scents of many mouth-watering smells of different kinds of foods that were roaming around the air freely.

The one thing that stood out to you though, and you found strange, was that as soon as you and Jaebum entered, when the people inside turned to look at you two, or rather who you were with, they immediately looked away.

You didn’t think about it much, figuring that people didn’t find you that interesting and were too into eating. But then, you wondered why no one was standing up to bow at Jaebum or even offer him any greeting? He was their prince, wasn’t he?

A guy who looked to be in his early forties walked up to where you stood by the front entrance in a waiters outfit and stopped to bow in front of you two.

“Good evening Miss.” He looked at you with a smile, but then his eyes turned to look at Jaebum and you could’ve sworn they turned slightly hard.

“Your Highness.” He said, nodding his head and then turning around to walk away. “Follow me please.”

Jaebum gave you a smile and reached out to grab your hand into his, pulling you forward to go where the waiter went.

Stopping near a table that was nearly isolated from the rest of the other tables in the restaurant, Jaebum pulled out a chair for you, and you thanked him as he sat down. Smoothing your dress down, you watched Jaebum take his own seat in front of you, and called over the same waiter over so he could place your orders.

“One moment my dear.” He said before the man his full attention.

You nodded and looked outside at the view from the huge glass window your table was placed next to.

Leaning your head against your palm, a small smile on your face, you admired the scenery in front of you.

You gazed at all the rows of houses and small shops that were around you, noting how different each of them were to each other and how lovely they were. You could see a few children still playing outside underneath the soft glow of the lamps and the glow from the moon, all smiling and enjoying themselves as they played around.

Everything around you was so pleasant, that you began to think.

‘This Jaebum guy still thinks I’m going to marry him, right? Tch, as if. Once all of this fancy dinner is down and over with and I get my strength back from staying here for a couple of days, I’m gonna smuggle my tired ass on a boat and get the hell out of here.’

“(Y/n)?”

“Huh?” you looked back at Jaebum and were startled to see him looking at you, his lips slightly apart as if he was just talking.

“Oh!” you jumped slightly in surprise. “S-sorry, were you saying something your highness??”

Jaebum chuckled.

“I was asking if you’ve enjoyed today so far. I may not know exactly what you did before coming here or where you came from, but all I know from Seulgi is that you are a travelling widow who came here to this island in hopes of finding a better lifestyle?”

You thought about what he said, ‘Seulgi must’ve had to come up with a cover story for me.’

You nodded. “That’s right. I found the life that I was previously living a living hell to be honest. I’m travelling in hopes of finding a place that I can now call home.

‘Ughhh… was that the best I could come up with??’

Jaebum nodded. “I see. Well, I still hope that you’ll find comfort here, I do recommend it.”

You simply shot him a smile and at the same time, the scent of something amazing hit you nose.

You looked to your right to see a different waiter carrying your food on a big tray. Bowing politely to the both of you, he placed both plates of hot, fresh food on your table, letting out a small “Enjoy” before he left.

You looked at the steaming plate of roasted chicken on your plate with the usual side of mash and salad on the side. As simple as it was, it looked amazing and you just couldn’t wait to dive right in. You hoped to god that you didn’t end up drooling in front of Jaebum.

“I’m sorry if this looks a little too simple my dear, but don’t worry, once we return to the palace, we shall have a full spread midnight feast. To properly celebrate your arrival here to my kingdom.”

You nodded at Jaebum’s words, too hungry to even object. Since the moment you came here, you have eaten well. You already made yourself suffer too much on Baekhyun’s hip, no need to do it again.

As the two of you continued to eat in comfortable silence, you froze momentarily, but quickly gained your posture and continued eating like there was no problem.

Your thoughts began to wonder. As much as you hated to even think about it, where in the world was Baekhyun? For how long you’ve known Baekhyun, you knew that by now, he should be out and about looking for you. He needed you for some apparent reason.

By now, you expected half of this place to be, well, up in flames. Since that was pretty much what he did to your village on your island. It was a bit strange for you to not see any chaos or some sort of fight at this point.

Whatever. Screw him. You’d like to see him try and come near you while you were with Jae-

Looking out the window once more, your eyes widened and you let out a loud gasp and jumped up, your seat being pushed back and falling backwards.

Everyone in the restaurant (including Jaebum) stopped what they were doing and looked at you in surprise.

Jaebum looked at you in confusion and in slight concern as you stared, horrifyingly? , outside the window that both of yours’ table was next to.

Jaebum hesitantly leaned his head to look outside and try to see what it was that made you jump like that.

Not seeing anything, he stood up to stand next to you, picking up your fallen chair.

“(Y/n)?” he said cautiously and placed a hand on your shoulder. “Are… you alright?”

You jumped once again when you felt Jaebum’s palm against your shoulder. And he was surprised to see you look at him with fear.

Jaebum’s eyes held worry. He opened his mouth to say something but then stopped, and turned to face the crowd behind him that was watching the exchange between you and him.

You didn’t exactly see his face, but it was enough to make the crowd split up and go back to what they were doing before.

Hearing a sigh from him, Jaebum looked back at you, eyes more gentle this time.

“Are you alright?” he repeated. “Did you see something outside? You seemed pretty startled.”

You frantically shook your head. “NO!” you yelled a little too loudly. You brought your hands up to cover your mouth.

You let out a shaky breath and closed your eyes, bringing your hands down slowly.

“I’m alright.” You opened your eyes and looked at Jaebum, a smile on your lips that you hoped was enough to make him believe you were truly alright. “It’s just that… ummm… can I… is it ok if…”

Oh god.

“Yes?” Jaebum pushed, more confused than ever.

You gulped.

“Can I quickly go outside for some fresh air? I’m feeling a little homesick right now. The food and everything is great, I just feel a little nostalgic, you know?”

Jaebum studied your smiling figure, and you worried that he might’ve not believed you for a second.

Then he finally nodded his head. “Of course my dear. Would you like me to accompany you?”

“No no, it’s fine!” you said with an awkward smile as you began to back away. “You can… uhhh… continue eating, and I’ll be… right back!” and before he could say anything else, Jaebum watched as you turned around and dashed out of the restaurant, watching as you shot him one last smile before watching the door close.

Not knowing what just happened, Jaebum turned around and sat back on his seat, slowly picking up his knife and fork, and continued to eat in a leisurely pace.

‘Well,’ he thought. ‘That was certainly strange.’

Running outside to the side of the restaurant, you looked around frantically for the thing that made your heart beat fast.

Dammit. Not here.

You whipped your head back and forth in all directions, trying to look for that oh so familiar face, but no luck.

‘No, god please no.’

Turning around, you ran towards the back of the restaurant to look there.

Once you reached it, you looked down the small area and desperately looked around. Walking deeper into the back, you noticed only the usual things you would find behind a restaurant like this.

Just the back door, crates of vegetables and fruits, and a small pile of trash bags placed in the corner.

You could feel your throat becoming dry. There was no one there.

You gulped, trying to relieve your mouth of the dryness and turned around.

Maybe, your eyes were playing tricks on you? There… there was no way you saw him, looking at you through the window you sat next to, no way, just no way you saw those menacing eyes of-

“Missed me kitten?”

This time you screamed. But before you could let out a scream that you hoped would call for any help, you felt a hand grabbing the back of your shirt and pulling you back to crash against the wall.

You groaned at the hard cement pressing against your back and you closed your eyes in pain at the throbbing that now passed through your head at the contact of the wall.

Suddenly feeling a presence pinning you against the wall, you blinked your eyes, and they widened in shock as the made contact with a pair of hard ones.

Baekhyun snarled and growled lowly as he slammed one hand near your head, the other gripping your waist almost tightly. Your breath hitched and you froze, completely and utterly shocked.

‘I knew it!’ You screamed in your head. ‘I knew I saw Baekhy-!’

“Well, well, well.” Baekhyun said, voice low and deadly as he brought his face near yours, his breath fanning over your trembling lips.

“Look who we have here.”

~Masterlist~

#His treasure #exo #exo scenarios #exo fanfiction #exo fanfic #exo oneshot #byun baekhyun #exo baekhyun x reader #exo baekhyun x you #baekhyun #byun baekhyun x reader #pirate au #pirate exo #baekhyun scenario #baekhyun fanfic

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